Tom Thumb Popcorn
25 Seeds
A great popcorn variety for children's gardens
- Our earliest maturing variety
- Cute ears reach just 4" in length
- 3'-tall plants produce up to 3 ears each
- Produces small, cream-colored popcorn
- Great for small spaces and kids gardens
MORE ABOUT TOM THUMB POPCORN:
(Zea mays) Developed by the late Dr. Elwin Meader at the University of New Hampshire. Very early maturing variety produces cute, 3-4" long ears on 3' tall plants. Plants produce 1 to 3 ears each. A great variety for teaching kids about plant development and pollination. Kernels are well-suited for popping. 85 days to harvest. 25 seeds per packet.
GROWING INFORMATION:
CULTURE: 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.
SOWING: 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.
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 AND 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.
HARVEST AND STORAGE: Ears 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.
SAVING SEEDS: To maintain genetic diversity, save seed from at least 50 to 100 plants. If open-pollinated, plants should be isolated from other popcorn varieties by at least 1/4 mile (cannot be pollinated by field corn). Otherwise, hand-pollination can be performed.
A great popcorn variety for children's gardens
- Our earliest maturing variety
- Cute ears reach just 4" in length
- 3'-tall plants produce up to 3 ears each
- Produces small, cream-colored popcorn
- Great for small spaces and kids gardens
MORE ABOUT TOM THUMB POPCORN:
(Zea mays) Developed by the late Dr. Elwin Meader at the University of New Hampshire. Very early maturing variety produces cute, 3-4" long ears on 3' tall plants. Plants produce 1 to 3 ears each. A great variety for teaching kids about plant development and pollination. Kernels are well-suited for popping. 85 days to harvest. 25 seeds per packet.
GROWING INFORMATION:
CULTURE: 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.
SOWING: 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.
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 AND 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.
HARVEST AND STORAGE: Ears 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.
SAVING SEEDS: To maintain genetic diversity, save seed from at least 50 to 100 plants. If open-pollinated, plants should be isolated from other popcorn varieties by at least 1/4 mile (cannot be pollinated by field corn). Otherwise, hand-pollination can be performed.
