The title explains it all. After nearly giving up on the watering a few times, and feeling guilty for the curled up/droughty leaves nearly all of the time, the Glass Gem corn has finally limped on in to the finish line. It’s not a huge harvest but I love it all the same.
Just in time for all the harvest displays, ‘Glass Gem’ corn looks just as you would imagine…. glassy.
“Glass Gem” is a popcorn type who’s origins trace back to the corns grown by the Native Americans. This of course doesn’t seem a far stretch since all corn originates out of the fields of the earliest American farmers, but “Glass Gem” is a strain reselected by an Oklahoman farmer out of several of the oldest of corn strains available. That’s the short version of the story. There’s much more to it and if you’re interested check it out by clicking here.
I hope I don’t do the history of this corn a disservice by just hanging it around the house for decoration, but I think it’s just too cool to pop or grind (plus I only have a few kernels!) I’ll have to grow it again next year and see if I can improve the harvest. Having a couple real ears and not the tiny little deformed things I picked should really up the wow factor!
sorta like suburbia 
Pretty! The blue and green is striking, and unusual.
Isn’t it? For some reason I love all kinds of colored corn, big and small, one color or all of them in a single ear. Too bad it takes up such a large chunk of real estate.
Wow, anyway! It is beautiful! I would love to grow some, but we have corn for animal fodder in our fields and it would cross pollinate. Look forward to seeing your improved harvest next year. P. x
haha, it’s that time of year when I think everything will be better and improved for the next season! Right now I’m at the difficult moment when I want to dig over the whole corn patch and plant daffodils…. maybe the corn can still go in between the clumps come springtime 🙂
I haven’t seen those colours before – much too pretty to eat, I agree!
The cobs almost glow when the light hits them. I’m quite pleased with my little stunted cobs!
These are beautiful Frank, how long do they continue to look so good; I’d grow a few to have as ornaments if they lasted a reasonable time.
They should last for years…. until you get tired of them and let the birds and mice have their chance.
Let me know if you’d like seed, from what I understand they’ve only been available since 2011 so might be hard to find in your area.
They’re beautiful Frank.
Thanks. When you look at other pictures online the range of colors is amazing!
I saw something similar in the supermarket this morning, but not nearly as pretty. I am not sure I would like to eat it though as it doesn’t look natural. Isn’t it amazing that nature could produce such varied colours in one kernel.
It would make quite the ear of sweet corn wouldn’t it!?
Funny you should mention unnatural, I think these are closer to the corn grown by the native Americans than the big yellow or white ears of modern corn.
There are several old American strains in green, blue, and red. They sure make for some cool looking corn muffins!
Yes we are too programmed into liking what we are used to I guess, but I suppose it is a survival instinct at the end of the day. Now colourful muffins would be another story – mmmmm.
I’ ve never seen it before, it is lovely. Do you grow ordinary sweet corn too? Is there any problem with cross pollination?
I did grow the sweet corn too but luckily didn’t see any crossing. I had my fingers crossed the whole time though, and of course they bloomed at exactly the same time! I think our winds always blow the same way and that worked out in my favor this time.
This is so cool. I have never tried to grow any of type of corn and am sure I would fail at it but I am so glad you were able to have such a beautiful harvest.
Those are absolutely gorgeous. I would love to have some for fall decoration.