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Post by WesTex on Jul 13, 2010 14:37:12 GMT -5
Sooooo, I'm hunting for a good OP/heirloom corn to grow next year.
I live in essentially the desert/plains with little natural rainfall. I grew some super great painted incan corn and some bloody butcher corn this year.
Here's what I'm looking for, see if anything comes to mind for ya:
Drought tolerant, between 5-8 feet, at least 2-3 ears a stalk is preferable, and I also prefer dual-purpose corn. In other words, I like to eat some when they're in the sweet stage and use the rest for flour.
My bloody butcher is insanely productive( 3-6 ears a stalk), but it's also 12 ft tall. In a flat area, with nothing to stop the wind, that kind of height tends to be a problem. I could stake each and every corn plant, but I'd rather find a better variety.
Any suggestions are very welcome. Thanks!
***See my post about 3 down from this and lemme know whatcha can about heirloom grains***
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Post by keen101 (Biolumo / Andrew B.) on Jul 14, 2010 3:13:27 GMT -5
Not sure, as mine have yet to fully start silking, and produce kernels, so i dont completely know whats what. However, I did plant a row of inter-mixed seeds of hopi blue, and Mojave white corn that i obtained from native seeds. I can tell you, while it never grew 10 feet high or anything, it did seem to be growing slightly faster and slightly better than most of the other indian corn i planted. I might have planted that row slightly deeper than the rest, but they both are (from what i gather) are slightly drought resistant also. So look into those two. I'll report back at the end of the season with what is actually what, and maybe list my favorites/reviews.
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Post by WesTex on Jul 14, 2010 8:06:56 GMT -5
Thanks Keen! I appreciate your help! I've been contemplating trying to breed corn after talking to some folks last night. I've gotta study more, but I'm excited about the prospects.
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Post by spacecase0 on Jul 14, 2010 11:31:03 GMT -5
yay ! breeding your own corn ! my Mojave white flower corn is about 6 to 8 feet tall depending on the plant and is doing very well where most others have failed entirely, it seems to have some good DNA to work with
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Post by grunt on Jul 14, 2010 12:56:57 GMT -5
Maybe consider Painted Mountain to try as well. It has a very diverse ancestry, and might be a good starting point = just follow the ones that do well for you. I'm growing out a batch this year, but not stressing them. Plans for next year include a few crosses, and a drought test section for several varieties.
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Post by WesTex on Jul 14, 2010 17:58:12 GMT -5
Thanks, Grunt! I'll keep that variety in mind!
>.> Thanks to SS, i've been hunting around about heirloom grains this afternoon. It's really pretty fascinating! I have decided to try and grow out/maintain/use a few types of grains. They stay viable for a while, so i don't have to grow them out every year to keep a nifty supply of varieties.
Things I've learned/decided on:
Spelt is so cool. Plus, it would do well in my climate from what i've read. That grain is like...a wonder grain!
Oats are my favorite grain, but sadly the prefer moisture and cooler temps...if i find a variety that could thrive through my winter (i'd even cover it with a plastic tube cause my winter's aren't too fierce and the sunlight is WARM!), then I'd be REALLY interested in trying to procure some.
Teff is also really intriguing to me and I'd like to see if i can get ahold of any niffer varieties.
Finding varieties BEFORE 1950 is pretty darn challenging so far. Even folks who specialize in heirloom grains tend to carry varieties from the 70's and 80's...
I am really excited because I think i can grow most of my grain in the fall and through the winter into spring. This is cool because while i can grow good stuff in the winter, at least four or five beds remain fallow and now i have something to use them for!
Any thoughts/suggestions/sources/literature is welcome. PS: i'm more prone to buying and reading actual BOOKS than stuff online..cuz i can't seem to retain stuff i read online very well. I likes to touch the page, write on the margins, etc.
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Post by happyskunk on Jul 15, 2010 0:55:40 GMT -5
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Post by Alan on Jul 20, 2010 21:57:02 GMT -5
I second the native seeds/SEARCH suggestion as well as the Tuxpeno, although it is a taller corn as well.
My Asronomy Domine is approaching what your looking for.
Also, check out Munk Bergins "Blood Brothers" line, a wondeful dual purpose and smaller type corn with good stalk strength and two ears to the stalk as well as drought tolerant. Abundant Life should have it available.
If nothing else definitely look at breeding your own synthetic/composite and share your thoughts ideas here with us, we'd love to hear about them.
-Alan
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Post by WesTex on Jul 21, 2010 9:23:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip, Alan! Imma go check that variety out too! Y'all are so wonderfully helpful! <3
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