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Post by maisazzurro on Jan 19, 2016 20:39:57 GMT -5
I grew up on the border in an area called The Region. Long time lurker, as I have an obsession with Zea mays and that has led me to this wonderful board full of great topics. I have done backyard popcorn for years, and played around with crossing corn for a few years, but nothing serious, as I own no land and all my gardening is done where people let me plant. I even became a master gardener a few years back just so I had more areas to cultivate as a volunteer, and learn from more experienced people. This year was my first year growing flour corn (one reason, I have to be gluten free now, otherwise my body will hate me). I grew up surrounded by corn fields, but none was for eating, though I do have some fond sweet corn memories. Sweet corn was something in August we would pick or go to the farm stand with Great-Grandma. We would bring it home, blanch it, scrape it from cobs, and freeze it. I thought we were the coolest people able to have sweet corn out of season, but that was years ago. I am proud to say I have grown my own corn and turned it into tortillas. Now, I learn much about corn genetics and breeding from this magical place. So glad I found it, so glad to be here! Besides corn, seed saving and vegetable gardening I am into foraging and native plant growing and habitat restoration. It is amazing how these passions overlap to create mini Edens in tiny backyards. Gardening was taught to me before I could walk, and it has saved my body and mind, many times over. I am big into your food as your medicine, as that philosophy has saved my life. Images are the process of turning the Painted Mounted mostly red pericarp corn into tortillas.    |
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Post by rowan on Jan 19, 2016 21:51:45 GMT -5
Welcome Maisazzurro, I think you will fit right in here. Painted mountain is my favourite corn.
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Post by maisazzurro on Jan 19, 2016 22:24:37 GMT -5
It is kinda funny, because for years, when I asked people if I could grow corn in their yard, I would often hear, "Why do you want to grow corn, we have it all around us and it takes up too much space." Those short season short in stature corns, such as painted mountain, made the convincing much easier. Now that I live and garden in urban landscape of my peers my own age, who did not grow up surrounded my corn, they find those 8ft+ tall corns in their yard fascinating and an item of great pride. Now my friends and relatives are all like. "When are you gonna make us tortillas." I hope I can figure out what to post on here, besides a photo of a popcorn that popped lavender.
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Post by raymondo on Jan 19, 2016 23:36:44 GMT -5
Welcome maisazzurro. I have yet to try Painted Mountain but it is on the list for next season. A corn that popped lavender! Love to see that. |
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Post by keen101 (Biolumo / Andrew B.) on Jan 20, 2016 1:18:52 GMT -5
Welcome! Beautiful corn photos! Painted Mountain does have some of the best colors I've seen, but you are right, it is a very short stature corn. I've had problems growing it in the past, but maybe i should try again. I prefer flint corns over flour, so what i would love to see would be Painted Mountain corn crossed to a flint. I imagine the results would be similar to glass gem corn. Still... i forgot how wonderful Painted Mountain can look...
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Post by maisazzurro on Jan 20, 2016 2:15:32 GMT -5
I grow a row of glass gem because it memorizes me. Not sure what to make with it, may just turn it into tortillas and see if it tastes ok. As for a popcorn that popped lavender, It came from a jar my partner picked up at a farmers market in downtown Chicago. It was called 'Midnight Blue' popcorn. Got a few yellow pops out of it also, and every now and then less pronounced lavender pops. I do not think it is from just a aleurone stain from moisture in the pop, as the colour was through and through. Photo is from before I learned to use the camera.  |
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Post by philagardener on Jan 20, 2016 6:43:55 GMT -5
Welcome, maisazzurro ! Those look great - glad you are joining the conversation! |
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Jan 20, 2016 10:02:25 GMT -5
As for a popcorn that popped lavender, It came from a jar my partner picked up at a farmers market in downtown Chicago. It was called 'Midnight Blue' popcorn. Very nice! |
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Post by kazedwards on Jan 21, 2016 2:23:25 GMT -5
Welcome. Glad to have you among us!
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Post by steev on May 25, 2016 1:37:09 GMT -5
So how are you planting out that corn? I'm sure many are interested how it does.
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