Strawberry Popcorn
Strawberry Popcorn is an heirloom with miniature, ruby red ears that resemble large strawberries. A backyard favorite for growing with kids. Great for popping or decorating. Zea mays everta. 100 days to maturity. Approx. 6,500 seeds per lb.
Treatment: Untreated
Description
Check out our Corn Growing Guide to learn more about how to grow corn in your garden.
Strawberry Popcorn is an open-pollinated, heirloom popcorn variety that produces miniature ears of ruby red kernels for popping. The 2-3" long ears resembles large strawberries, hence the name Strawberry Popcorn. The corn stalks for this variety average 4-5' tall at maturity and will produce 2-4 ears per stalk. This popcorn is great for fall decorating, but also is quite tasty when popped.
Harvest the ears once the plants are dried and brown. Remove the corn husk and allow the popcorn ears to dry an additional month. It's a good idea to put them in the freezer or under a fan to prevent weevils from eating the corn. Once completely dried, remove kernels from the cob by pressing your thumb along the ears. Store dried kernels in the freezer until ready to use.
Strawberry Popcorn should be planted in the spring after the last frost date. Corn can be grown throughout the warmer months up until fall, as long as time is permitted for harvest before the first frost. Succession planting is recommended with at least two plantings, one in early spring and one in late summer/early fall. Corn earworm pressure will be greater in the warmer months, but this can be alleviated by applying spinosad to silks and tassels once they appear.
We recommend planting Strawberry Popcorn using a walk-behind planter like our Hoss Garden Seeder. Once plants emerge, thin plants to 8-12" depending on adequate irrigation. If drip irrigation is used, in-row spacing may be as close as 8". If water is scarce, the wider in-row spacing will be necessary. For pollination purposes, corn should be planted in a square plot with rows on 30-36" spacing. Planting a few long rows will result in poor germination and the absence of kernels on the cobs.
Strawberry Popcorn Planting Information
Planting Method: direct seed
When to Plant: after last frost
Planting Depth: 1"
Seed Spacing: 8-12"
Row Spacing: 30-36"
Days to Maturity: 100
Disease Resistance: None
