Glass Gem Corn Seeds
Glass Gem corn was first developed in the mid 1900s by Carl Barnes, a Native American farmer from Oklahoma. This heirloom variety is a flint type of corn that was bred from Native American seed stocks passed down from generation to generation. Glass Gem was first released to the market in the 1990s by Seeds Trust, a small seed company from Colorado. The variety was popularized by gardeners and seed saving enthusiasts intrigued by its unique looks.
Glass Gem corn plants are strong and sturdy, growing to an average of 6-8 feet tall, and they generally produce two to four ears each, depending on the growing conditions. The kernels of Glass Gem are a true work of art, with their translucent, glossy appearance reminiscent of stained glass. Each cob is different, with a balance of bold hues and soft pastels, from bright red to blues to rich purples, yellows and greens, creating a captivating tapestry of colours. Glass Gem corn is not only grown for its beauty in the garden, the tasty kernels can also be roasted, popped or ground into cornmeal. A true celebration of Mother Nature’s showy colours, Glass Gem is the perfect addition to fall décors, floral bouquet arrangements and the rainbow kernels can be arranged into a stunning centerpiece.
- Row Spacing: 30-45 cm
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
It just wouldn’t be summer without enjoying fresh corn on the cob as often as possible. On top of being a beloved symbol of summer, corn can be popped, fashioned into festive decorations or used as animal feed.
It is advantageous to plant corn early because of its need for a long growing season. But, it will not fare well by being started indoors, transplanted or sown into cold soil. Wait until 2 weeks after the last frost to sow seed outdoors or when soil temperatures reach at least 16°C. Plant seeds 2 cm deep, 15 cm apart in rows 75-90 cm apart and water well.
Corn is a very heavy feeder of nutrients and water. If possible, plan ahead the fall prior and prepare the bed by mixing in a hefty amount of compost.
When plants reach 8-10 cm tall, thin them out to a distance of 20-30 cm. Corn has shallow roots, so mulch, weed carefully and water well.
About 2 cm of water/week should suffice. Give more in times of excessive heat or drought. An application of high-nitrogen fertilizer a couple times throughout the season will appreciably accelerate growth.
It is dependent on variety, but corn may take up to 100 days to mature. Warmer air will ripen ears faster. Pay attention to the tips of the ears, they will become more rounded when it’s time to pick. Other good indications of readiness are milky kernels and browning silk. When they reach this point, do not wait to harvest. Pull down on the ears and twist to remove from the stalk. If it is corn you plan on eating, prepare it immediately for consumption or preservation.
QUICK FACTS
- Corn is a cereal grain first domesticated in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. Imported into Europe by the navigator Christopher Columbus, corn quickly became a staple food in many parts of the world.
- To prevent cross-pollination from altering crop, plant at least 100 meters from other corn varieties or stagger planting by 20 days. Plant in blocks of at least four rows for proper pollination.
- Corn seeds will remain viable for 2 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
OUR SEED GUARANTEE
You know that a lush, fruitful garden needs good soil, frequent watering, and sunlight to grow, but it’s the seeds that really make the harvest.
Picked and bagged for 2024 the vast majority of our seeds have germination rates of over 85%. The seeds are all-natural, non-GMO, non-hybrid, untreated, and open-pollinated for seed saving.
We have put a lot of thoughts into the design and packaging of our seed packets. Our seeds are all carefully packed in food grade kraft paper/aluminium zipper lock bags, and then are shipped in eco-friendly padded mailers.
We heat-seal each of our seed packet for even more protection from moisture, odour and light, allowing you to store your seeds for up to 3x longer than paper or plastic. Plant them all, germinate some indoors, save some for next season - it’s up to you!