Instructions
- Put the popcorn kernels in a glass jar and fill with warm water. ...
- Let the popcorn kernels soak for three days at room temperature. ...
- After three days, drain the water from the jar. ...
- Moisten the soil well with water and cover the baking pan with a clear lid. ...
- For tender, yellow shoots, grow the popcorn shoots in a dark place for approximately one week.
How to grow popcorn from seeds?
Planting Popcorn Buy some fertile popcorn seeds. Soak the corn kernels in warm water for 12 hours. Choose the right spot. Plant the kernels after the danger of frost has passed. Thin seedlings when they are 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) tall.
How to care for popcorn plant?
How to Grow Popcorn Plants 1 Popcorn Plant Care. Popcorn plants are somewhat invasive in their native Africa. ... 2 Pruning. Deadheading spent blooms and trimming any dead or leafless branches will help to keep your popcorn plant looking healthy and full. 3 Propagating Popcorn Plants. ... 4 Overwintering. ...
What is the best way to Dry popcorn kernels?
Allow the kernels to dry in the field as long as possible. When harvested, the kernels should be hard and the husks completely dry. After harvest, remove the husks and place the ears in mesh bags and hang in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location. The ideal moisture content for popcorn is between 13 and 14%.
How to cook popcorn in the oven?
Stir the popcorn occasionally while drying it in oven over the course of five hours. Then, turn off the oven, remove the popcorn, and allow it to cool overnight. Do the pop test to see whether or not the corn is ready. Simply twist a few kernels off of the cob, and put them onto a hot pan.
How long does it take for a popcorn kernel to germinate?
about 10 daysBecause corn is wind-pollinated, it pays to plant in blocks of four rows, following the sowing instructions for depth and spacing. Compared to other corn, popcorn is slower to germinate, taking about 10 days to shoot up, and slower to grow.
Will store bought popcorn germinate?
It's fast growing and making your own popcorn is a real treat. No, you can't open a bag of popcorn from the grocery store and plant it. Most store bought popcorn isn't fertile because of the heating and sterilization processes it undergoes.
Can I grow popcorn from popcorn kernels?
Planting Your Homegrown Popcorn Once you've located fertile seeds, you are ready to grow your own popcorn. Plant the seeds exactly the same as you would sweet corn (soak the kernels for 12 hours before planting, then set them 1 to 1-½ inches deep and 8 to 10 inches apart).
Can you plant regular popcorn seeds?
0:161:26How to Germinate Popcorn Seeds : Planting the Seed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can thin them out and then transplant them to your garden. And make sure they get a plenty ofMoreYou can thin them out and then transplant them to your garden. And make sure they get a plenty of Sun and plenty of water don't need about an inch and a half of water a week and 6 to 8 hours of Sun a.
Can I plant unpopped popcorn?
For best results, plant Unflavored Popcorn Kernels in a sunny part of your yard. When planting, place the kernels 1” deep, approximately 6-8” apart, and space the rows 1 foot apart. Once plants reach 4” in height, thin out a bit so your plants have room to spread out and mature throughout the season.
What would happen if you plant popcorn seeds?
0:041:52[ Know Now] What Happens If You Plant Popcorn Seeds? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust take the plain regular popcorn that does not include any oil you also have to consider theMoreJust take the plain regular popcorn that does not include any oil you also have to consider the shelf life of the popcorn kernels. But if you sew a dead popcorn seed it will not germinate.
Should I soak popcorn before planting?
In order to ensure a better germination rate, pre-soak the popcorn for 24-72 hours. I put approximately 3/4 cup of popcorn seeds in a glass dish and covered them generously with water. Place the container in the fridge for up to three days.
Will store bought corn grow?
Fill a dish with 1 inch of water and place the corn cob in the water. Place in a sunny spot and then admire your corn as it grows! Within a few days you will begin to see the shoots sprout upwards, you will also see the roots grow in the water.
What happens if you soak popcorn kernels in water?
When you soak popcorn kernels in water, the seeds absorb extra moisture. This increased water content causes the kernels to pop slightly faster. The increased speed of popping is not significant when soaking kernels in water. It can and does cause some of the kernels to be fluffy.
When should you plant popcorn?
Popcorn should be planted just like other types of corn. Wait until the soil has warmed to 70 degrees and all danger of frost has passed, either in spring or very early summer.
What's the difference between popcorn and regular corn?
The most obvious difference between popcorn and corn on the cob is its appearance. Popcorn while on the cob has a deep orange-yellow color. Sweet corn is mottled yellow and white, field corn is solid yellow, and white corn is, of course, white. There are many other varieties as well.
What type of corn is used for popcorn?
flint cornSome strains of corn (taxonomized as Zea mays) are cultivated specifically as popping corns. The Zea mays variety everta, a special kind of flint corn, is the most common of these. Popcorn is one of six major types of corn, which includes dent corn, flint corn, pod corn, flour corn, and sweet corn.
Can you grow corn from store bought corn?
Fill a dish with 1 inch of water and place the corn cob in the water. Place in a sunny spot and then admire your corn as it grows! Within a few days you will begin to see the shoots sprout upwards, you will also see the roots grow in the water.
Can you plant Orville Redenbacher popcorn?
2:515:45Popcorn Microgreens: Will Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Grow?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDon't get soil on them as they're growing and it keeps everything cleaner without soil on top.MoreDon't get soil on them as they're growing and it keeps everything cleaner without soil on top.
How do you grow corn from seed?
Sow seeds about 1½ to 2 inches deep and 2 to 4 inches apart in short, side-by-side rows to form a block, rather than one long row. For decent pollination, we recommend a modest block of, say, 10 to 50 plants. You may choose to fertilize at planting time with a 10-10-10 fertilizer; corn is meant to grow rapidly.
How do corns grow?
For early plantings, sow seeds only 1 inch deep; in the hot weather of midsummer, plant them up to 2 inches deep. The average germination rate for sweet corn is about 75 percent, so plant three seeds together every 7 to 15 inches. They should germinate in 7 to 10 days. Thin to one plant every 15 inches.
Tips
Make sure you have a long enough growing season, or else the popcorn won't have enough time to mature.
Warnings
Do not plant popcorn too close to other types of corn. Keep a minimum distance of 100 feet (30.48 meters). If you plant popcorn too close to other types, you will get cross-pollination and hybridization.
About This Article
This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. This article has been viewed 263,116 times.
Growing Popcorn Corn
Popcorn should be planted just like other types of corn. Wait until the soil has warmed to 70 degrees and all danger of frost has passed, either in spring or very early summer.
Tips to Growing Great Popcorn
Corn has very shallow roots and needs good loose soil without rocks or other debris in the way. Pull any weeds before you plant. Once the seeds are in the ground, don’t weed your garden until the corn is several inches tall because the sprouts look like grass and you might pull it along with the weeds!
Harvesting Your Popcorn
Your popcorn will be ready to harvest when the husks have dried and the kernels are plump, well-colored and shiny.
Popping Your Popcorn
To pop your homegrown popcorn, you can use an air popper or pop them on the stovetop. The best method for stovetop popping has been thoroughly studied and perfected by America’s Test Kitchen. Here’s how they do it:
Ideas on Toppings for Your Popcorn
Butter and salt is always a crowd pleaser, but why not try making your own gourmet toppings? Travel the world in your kitchen: make it Japanese-style with chili powder and crumbled dried seaweed, Hawaiian-style with butter and furikake (a Japanese seasoning) mixed with little rice crackers, or coat half with cheddar powder and half with caramel then toss them together for Chicago-style popcorn.
Popcorn Basics
Not all corn pops, so variety matters. Popcorn is a special variety of corn, the scientific name being Zea mays everta, and is one of four main types of corn, with dent, flint, and sweet rounding out the list. The kernels have two shapes: the more elongated rice shape and the rounder pearl shape.
Growing Your Own Popcorn
Check your favorite vegetable seed sources for their selection of popcorns, taking into account your growing season length and amount of space available. Many popcorns grow 8 to 9 feet tall and produce 7-inch-long ears, although there are some popcorn offerings that run to miniature sizes, with 4-foot stalks and 3-inch ears.
Planting Popcorn
Because corn is wind-pollinated, it pays to plant in blocks of four rows, following the sowing instructions for depth and spacing. Compared to other corn, popcorn is slower to germinate, taking about 10 days to shoot up, and slower to grow.
Keeping Your Popcorn Pest- and Disease-Free
Popcorn is susceptible to the usual varmints and diseases of other corns, and the same methods can be used to mitigate those problems. Crop rotation can help with troubles like corn smut and corn borers by moving the rows of corn far from the previous year’s location. As for raccoons, well, good luck distracting them from convenient snacks.
Harvesting Popcorn
To avoid those particular pitfalls, harvest the mature ears and husk them. The ears need to dry, either by spreading them on a clean surface or hanging the ears in a mesh bag in a space with good air circulation.
Prepping for Popping
Once a test indicates the popcorn is ready, kernels can be popped right on the cob by placing it inside a paper bag and cooking it in the microwave. But you can remove the kernels from the cob first. Just use your thumbs to push the kernels free into a container.
Popcorn Plant Care
With proper care, plenty of water, and good fertilizer, popcorn plants will bloom all summer long and into the autumn but will be at their most floriferous in the hot humid days of summer. When other plants wilt in the heat, the popcorn plant flourishes.
Pruning
Deadheading spent blooms and trimming any dead or leafless branches will help to keep your popcorn plant looking healthy and full. There's no need for serious pruning.
Propagating Popcorn Plants
This plant can also be propagated from seeds or cuttings but is usually fairly inexpensive at a garden shop when purchased as an annual. Keep in mind that growing it from cuttings can take a long while and is often unsuccessful, which is why propagating via seed is usually the best bet.
How to Grow Popcorn Plants From Seed
The seed pots on popcorn plants are several inches long and contain at least a dozen seeds each. Pull the dried pods from the plant in late fall and collect the seeds. Before planting in the spring, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Sow them in containers filled with well-draining yet moist potting soil.
Potting and Repotting Popcorn Plants
When growing these plants in containers, make sure the soil is well-draining, and ensure plenty of drainage holes in the bottom of the container. It can also help to add a layer of pebbles to allow the water to drain even further.
Overwintering
Popcorn plants can be overwintered if kept indoors. A greenhouse is preferable, but a garage is fine if the temperature stays above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. They will only need watering occasionally.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Fortunately, this plant doesn't have much trouble with pests or diseases. Aphids will sometimes sample it; they can be remedied by a strong jet of water to wash them away or horticultural oil to deter them. This plant can also experience fungal diseases if kept too wet.
Growing
Several different varieties are available to home gardeners. Be sure to select a variety that will mature in your area. Sow seed directly in the garden in spring in several short rows. This ensures good pollination. Thin as recommended on label directions. Do not plant sweet corn in the same garden with popcorn.
Harvest
Allow the kernels to dry in the field as long as possible. When harvested, the kernels should be hard and the husks completely dry.
Storage
Store the kernels in sealed, airtight containers. If stored properly, popcorn should retain its popping quality for several years. Unshelled corn should be stored at temperatures near 32F and high relative humidity. The storage location should also be rodent proof.
