Dynamite Popcorn (South American Yellow)
Zea mays subsp. mays
Seeds per pack ~ 50
Germination: 97% June 2024 (Packed for 2025)
DAYS TO MATURITY: 100-110 days
PLANT DESCRIPTION: Zea mays subsp. mays. Beautiful 6”-9” ears, on stalks that grow around 5’ tall. This variety is a robust producer with a buttery flavor.
HISTORY: Popcorn was among the maize kinds that the Incas of South America and the Aztecs and Mayans of Central and Mexico produced. Popcorn threads were used by the Aztecs to adorn their Gods of Rain and Corn. The popped kernels were also utilized as decorations and personal adornment by Native Americans in North America, who strung them on grass strings.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Popcorn has a low-fat content, a moderate protein content, and a high fiber content. It offers a good number of vital elements, especially minerals and B vitamins. Popcorn has a lot of protein and fiber.
FOOD PREP: Grilling enhances its natural sweetness and imparts a smoky flavor, making it a perfect addition to summer barbecues. Harvesting the kernels for use in salads, salsas, or as a topping for tacos adds a crisp and sweet element to various dishes. For a taste of tradition, you can also freeze or can the corn to enjoy its freshness year-round. Of course, this can be dried and used as popcorn with your favorite seasonings and toppings.
GROWING TIPS: Annual. Harvest and dry popcorn down as you would grinding corn. Thorough drying is important in getting kernels that will pop. Popcorns are resistant to ear damage by birds. In other respects, grows like sweet corn. Sow seeds when soil temperature is consistently at least 65℉ to germinate well, otherwise, the seed may rot easily due to its high sugar content. Don’t rush your first planting; wait until after the first average frost-free date. Succession plantings can then be made 2-3 weeks apart. Sow seed 1 in. deep in rows 36 in. apart and thin to 6-12 in. apart within rows. Later, taller varieties need wider spacing than early, shorter varieties. For good pollination and well-filled ears, plant in blocks at least 5 rows wide. We tend to think of popcorn for popping only, but some Native Americans also grind popcorn to make bread.
NOTE: Corn smut forms large puffy, gray, irregular masses of fungus during dry hot weather. Corn smut is a delicacy in Mexico, but if you want corn rather than corn smut, remove and destroy the fungus; otherwise, the black spores will re-infest your corn for several years.
