POPCORN FACTS, GROWING TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS
Here’s a link to a website that gives info about hardiness zones, which you can
check out if you are not sure of the area where you live.
http://howtogardenguide.com/2009/01/27/hardiness-zones/
What is Popcorn?
Classified as Zea mays, corn is actually a grass. Popcorn is Zea mays praecox
and comes in over 100 different strains varying in flavor, tenderness, presence,
or absence of a hull, shape, and color. No matter what it looks like on the
outside, all popcorn pops up white or creamy yellow.
1. Seed selection
White and yellow planting zones: White popcorn can be grown in some northern
states. 85 to 95 day or earlier maturing varieties are recommended for the
northernmost areas. Yellow popcorn is longer maturing (950-105 day ) and
therefore not recommended for areas north of HWY 10 in Wisconsin or north of the
Twin cities in Minnesota.
2. Storage
After seed has been purchased, store it in a cool, dry
enclosure free from pests.
3. Where to Plant
At time of planting, ground temperature should be at least 55 degrees F. Soil
temperature can be tested with a common thermometer, buried 1” under prepared
soil of field to be planted. Test in several locations of the field to get an
accurate soil temperature picture. Soil should be prepared as for field corn or
sweet corn; plowed, disked and dragged to a fine, firm seed bed. Seed should be
planted ½ “ to 1 “ deep in heavy or heavy black soils and up to 2” deep in
light, sandy soils. Many types of planters are adjustable to plant both white
and yellow popcorn, whether they are two row, four row or plateless air
planters. Popcorn plates can be ordered from machinery dealers. Seed spacing
should be 1 seed every 6” in a 40” row, or 2 every 12” in a 40” row, etc.
Narrower rows, space seed further apart in row to provide adequate sunlight and
root development. Planting too thick will reduce ear size and yield. Plant
populations should average 22,000 to 24,000 actual plants per acre in 30” rows.
4. Soil requirements for Popcorn
An ideal is a pH of about 6.0. Popcorn is a fairly heavy feeder, not quite as
bad as field corn, but needs some NPK additive. For the home gardener this means
fertilizing in a manner similar to your sweet corn. Pay particular attention to
making sure you have adequate nitrogen levels. Also, be aware that popcorn has a
fairly shallow root system, so it can be forgiving of poorer soils, but will
need adequate water as well. When planting put the seeds at one to two inches
deep.
5. Germination
Germination takes longer for popcorn, so make sure the soil has warmed
adequately before planting. Late spring is the best, but make sure the growing
season left is long enough. Just as with sweet corn, you will want to plant in
blocks, or rows of 4 or more to ensure the proper pollination of the corn.
6. Cross Pollination
Don’t plant popcorn and sweet corn near one another, as they will both suffer if
their is cross pollination.
7. Harvesting
It’s time to harvest when your popcorn kernels are hard, and the husks should be
completely dry. After the ears are taken from the stalks, remove the husks.
Drying can be done by putting the ears in a container that will allow air
circulation. Every week, shell and try popping a few kernels. When your test
kernels pop well, it’s time to shell the rest of your popcorn, and storing it so
moisture can’t get in the containers.