Post by blackthumbmary on Sept 9, 2010 18:46:13 GMT -5
Back in April I was lucky enough to receive receive some Ames 1850 sweet corn seeds from Grunt. He thought that they might do well in my region (southern Indiana)...and boy was he ever right.
I started the seeds indoors and then transplanted them....right in time for the last frost of the season. I did not loose one transplant to frost which was impressive since it killed 7 newly planted Triple Play plants.
The Ames seemed to thrive, requiring less fertilizer (in the form of horse manure) than most of my other corn varieties (Hookers, Triple Play, and Buhl) despite being the largest variety.
It was the only corn grown that really could be used as bean poles...both because of stalk thickness and height! These were tall plants...probably about 8 ft plus. These aforementioned attributes also helped it survive several high winds.
The corn husks were another great feature...nice and thick!!! This meant that few if any bugs made their way to the ear. I literally had almost no bug infestations...save for one very persistent worm!
The ears were big....as in Hybrid what-you-get-in-the-grocery-store' size. In fact many ears were bigger than your average hybrid variety. This in itself is impressive because both the Buhl and Hookers tended to produce as many super small ears as big ones.
Each plant produced two ears on average...with a few producing three.
Now for the truly important thing- taste!!! Sweet....almost reminded me of Silver Queen. It has this very light clear sweet flavor...really what I think of when eating young sweet white corn (as opposed to yellow types which seem to have more 'corn/vegetal' flavor). Having said this, it certainly does not have the overly icky sweet flavor of some of the super sweet hybrids.
This was my favorite tasting corn of all grown this season. The Hookers was a close second but lost out because the Ames has a longer period before it becomes starchy. Even when it was drying out, it still had some sweetness (yes I nibbled a few dry kernels).
My husband also loved this corn. I had a hard time convincing him not to eat the whole crop and save some for seed.
My sister also loved this corn...and is going to grow some next year.
The deer also voted the Ames to be their favorite. They ate one entire plant and were working on two others (peeled but they survived)....all in one evening before the field's fence was finished. They left the other unfenced corn fields alone.
I have to admit that I am shocked that this corn is no longer so popular-at least in the Midwest. Unlike some other heirloom corns, it is sweet enough (well at least to me) to satisfy one's sweet tooth....while having a full flavor. It is also relatively easy to grow. This was my first year growing a garden, so if it could withstand my 'black thumb'...you know it is hardy corn!
Thank you Grunt for introducing me to this wonderful corn. I would never have otherwise discovered it since it is not available from any of the seed catalogs that I order from. It is literally going to become our 'family' corn...to be grown each summer.
At the risk of sounding overly sentimental, I really feel as if I have received a wonderful heirloom treasure...something unique that only comes from a friend and cannot be purchased (in this case so true since Ames is not commercially available as far as I know).
I also thank Alan for hosting this site because it is through it that I have received so many other wonderful seeds from fellow members (which I will post about in the appropriate sections).
I will post some pictures of the plants and ears soon. I have been rather busy as of late..so bear with me
I started the seeds indoors and then transplanted them....right in time for the last frost of the season. I did not loose one transplant to frost which was impressive since it killed 7 newly planted Triple Play plants.
The Ames seemed to thrive, requiring less fertilizer (in the form of horse manure) than most of my other corn varieties (Hookers, Triple Play, and Buhl) despite being the largest variety.
It was the only corn grown that really could be used as bean poles...both because of stalk thickness and height! These were tall plants...probably about 8 ft plus. These aforementioned attributes also helped it survive several high winds.
The corn husks were another great feature...nice and thick!!! This meant that few if any bugs made their way to the ear. I literally had almost no bug infestations...save for one very persistent worm!
The ears were big....as in Hybrid what-you-get-in-the-grocery-store' size. In fact many ears were bigger than your average hybrid variety. This in itself is impressive because both the Buhl and Hookers tended to produce as many super small ears as big ones.
Each plant produced two ears on average...with a few producing three.
Now for the truly important thing- taste!!! Sweet....almost reminded me of Silver Queen. It has this very light clear sweet flavor...really what I think of when eating young sweet white corn (as opposed to yellow types which seem to have more 'corn/vegetal' flavor). Having said this, it certainly does not have the overly icky sweet flavor of some of the super sweet hybrids.
This was my favorite tasting corn of all grown this season. The Hookers was a close second but lost out because the Ames has a longer period before it becomes starchy. Even when it was drying out, it still had some sweetness (yes I nibbled a few dry kernels).
My husband also loved this corn. I had a hard time convincing him not to eat the whole crop and save some for seed.
My sister also loved this corn...and is going to grow some next year.
The deer also voted the Ames to be their favorite. They ate one entire plant and were working on two others (peeled but they survived)....all in one evening before the field's fence was finished. They left the other unfenced corn fields alone.
I have to admit that I am shocked that this corn is no longer so popular-at least in the Midwest. Unlike some other heirloom corns, it is sweet enough (well at least to me) to satisfy one's sweet tooth....while having a full flavor. It is also relatively easy to grow. This was my first year growing a garden, so if it could withstand my 'black thumb'...you know it is hardy corn!
Thank you Grunt for introducing me to this wonderful corn. I would never have otherwise discovered it since it is not available from any of the seed catalogs that I order from. It is literally going to become our 'family' corn...to be grown each summer.
At the risk of sounding overly sentimental, I really feel as if I have received a wonderful heirloom treasure...something unique that only comes from a friend and cannot be purchased (in this case so true since Ames is not commercially available as far as I know).
I also thank Alan for hosting this site because it is through it that I have received so many other wonderful seeds from fellow members (which I will post about in the appropriate sections).
I will post some pictures of the plants and ears soon. I have been rather busy as of late..so bear with me