Free Shipping on Orders $35+

Login
Amazon American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa
Non-GMO
Supports Family Farms
Heirloom

Big Horse Spotted Corn

Quick Facts:

  • Heirloom Indigenous corn
  • Originates from the Osage Nation
  • Unique spotted kernels
  • Mix of blue, white, and bronze
  • Great for cornmeal and fall decor

View full description

Quantity: Packet (50 Seeds)

shipping estimated time of arrival Get it between -

We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Big Horse Spotted Corn

More about Big Horse Spotted

Zea mays

Big Horse Spotted Corn is an Indigenous flour corn collected in 1950s from the Osage Reservation in northern Oklahoma.  Although little is known about the history of this variety, its beauty has endured, producing attractive, well-filled ears with a striking mix of blue, white, and bronze kernels marked by a distinctive spotted pattern.

The genetics of this variety is interesting in its own right—we think it would make great STEM project material for students interested in learning more about biology and genetics.  The spotting pattern appears to be caused by a transposon (jumping gene) insertion in one of the kernel color bios... More

Less

Zea mays

Big Horse Spotted Corn is an Indigenous flour corn collected in 1950s from the Osage Reservation in northern Oklahoma.  Although little is known about the history of this variety, its beauty has endured, producing attractive, well-filled ears with a striking mix of blue, white, and bronze kernels marked by a distinctive spotted pattern.

The genetics of this variety is interesting in its own right—we think it would make great STEM project material for students interested in learning more about biology and genetics.  The spotting pattern appears to be caused by a transposon (jumping gene) insertion in one of the kernel color biosynthesis genes.  Dosage patterns are evident, suggesting possible Ac-Ds transposon activity. If you have a young scientist interested in studying this variety, we'd encourage the exploration.  Perhaps we can even publish their findings on our blog!

As a flour corn, Bighorse has a relatively loose pericarp, making it well suited to grinding into cornmeal. Historically, Indigenous flour corns like this would have been used for flatbreads and other staple foods prepared on hot stones or griddles—the functional ancestors of modern tortillas. But even if you don't get around to grinding it, Big Horse Spotted corn is just fun to grow and would make a stunning "Indian corn" to use in fall displays. Matures approximately 115 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Seed stock generously provided by the National Genetic Resources Program. PI 213755

Zea mays

Big Horse Spotted Corn is an Indigenous flour corn collected in 1950s from the Osage Reservation in northern Oklahoma.  Although little is known about the history of this variety, its beauty has endured, producing attractive, well-filled ears with a striking mix of blue, white, and bronze kernels marked by a distinctive spotted pattern.

The genetics of this variety is interesting in... read more

read less

Zea mays

Big Horse Spotted Corn is an Indigenous flour corn collected in 1950s from the Osage Reservation in northern Oklahoma.  Although little is known about the history of this variety, its beauty has endured, producing attractive, well-filled ears with a striking mix of blue, white, and bronze kernels marked by a distinctive spotted pattern.

The genetics of this variety is interesting in its own right—we think it would make great STEM project material for students interested in learning more about biology and genetics.  The spotting pattern appears to be caused by a transposon (jumping gene) insertion in one of the kernel color biosynthesis genes.  Dosage patterns are evident, suggesting possible Ac-Ds transposon activity. If you have a young scientist interested in studying this variety, we'd encourage the exploration.  Perhaps we can even publish their findings on our blog!

As a flour corn, Bighorse has a relatively loose pericarp, making it well suited to grinding into cornmeal. Historically, Indigenous flour corns like this would have been used for flatbreads and other staple foods prepared on hot stones or griddles—the functional ancestors of modern tortillas. But even if you don't get around to grinding it, Big Horse Spotted corn is just fun to grow and would make a stunning "Indian corn" to use in fall displays. Matures approximately 115 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Seed stock generously provided by the National Genetic Resources Program. PI 213755

Gardener holding seedlings
person holding seedlings

How to Grow Corn

Corn performs best in soil that is well-drained, but also able to hold onto some moisture, as corn tends to use quite a bit of water during its active growth phase.  Working in a healthy dose of well-composted manure in the fall will ensure that the rapidly growing plants receive adequate water and nutrition. 

After danger of frost has passed and soil temps have reached 55 degrees, sow seeds 9-12" apart, 1" deep, in rows 24-36" apart.  To maximize pollination use a paired row or square plot configuration.  Under ideal conditions, germination will occur in 7-10 days.

Not recommended

Insect Pests

Biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis can be effecting in controlling common corn pests like corn borer and earworm.  Aphids, Japanese beetles, and other hard-shelled insects can be controlled with a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution.

Diseases & Other Problems

Corn is susceptible to a number of plant diseases.  Consult your local extension office to learn which diseases are most prevalent in your region. Crop rotation, tillage, and removal of plant debris are all effective tools in managing common corn diseases.

Sweet corn is ready to harvest approximately 21 days after pollination. At peak, the kernel tips should be rounded and glossy. Shelling corn can be harvested once the husks have dried and the kernels have sufficiently hardened.  To test for maturity, pull back the husk and remove a kernel from the ear.  If the tip at the base of the kernel breaks off to reveal a brown "abscission" layer, the ears are ready to harvest.

CONSIDERATIONS:

To maintain genetic diversity, save seed from at least 50 to 100 plants.  If open-pollinated, plants should be isolated from other corn varieties by at least 1/4 mile.  Otherwise, hand-pollination can be performed.

HARVESTING SEED:

Wait until ears have reached full maturity and the kernels cannot be pierced by your fingernail. Peel back the husk and harvest the ear by pulling down and twisting. Place in a mesh bag or basket and allow to continue to dry for two weeks. Shell ears using a manual corn shelling tool or tightly grip a gloved hand around the ear and twist to separate the kernels from the cob. Winnow to remove any chaff and store in an airtight container until ready to use.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Corn seeds will maintain 50% viability for three years when stored in a cool, dark place.

Hand pollinating corn

Search