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Broom Corn

Broom Corn

$4.99

Sorghum bicolor. This tall heirloom cousin of corn produces huge seed heads 60-100cm (24-36”) long. While technically edible, Sorghum Broom Corn seeds are better used as an ornamental, or as a pollen screen between main crop corn varieties. The seeds colour up and turn shiny as they mature. This product is not a corn or maize variety. As a variety of grass, its seed head is packed more loosely than a corn ear. Stalks can actually be tried and used for sweeping, but you’ll want to use the beautiful, multi-coloured seed heads as fall decorations instead.

Matures in 110-120 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Approximately 95 Seeds

Out of stock

SKU: 204167 Categories: , , , Tags: , ,

Description

Sorghum bicolor. This tall heirloom cousin of corn produces huge seed heads 60-100cm (24-36”) long. While technically edible, Sorghum Broom Corn seeds are better used as an ornamental, or as a pollen screen between main crop corn varieties. The seeds colour up and turn shiny as they mature. This product is not a corn or maize variety. As a variety of grass, its seed head is packed more loosely than a corn ear. Stalks can actually be tried and used for sweeping, but you’ll want to use the beautiful, multi-coloured seed heads as fall decorations instead.

Matures in 110-120 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Approximately 95 Seeds

Difficulty
Moderately challenging

Season & Zone

Season: Warm season
Exposure: Full-sun

Timing

Direct sow in late spring. If the soil is not warm enough, seeds often rot before sprouting – especially when not treated with fungicide. Untreated corn seeds should be planted only when the soil has warmed up above 18°C (65°F) – warmer for super-sweet (sh2) types, and even warmer for a good stand. Use a soil thermometer. If spring weather is cold, consider planting in flats or individual pots, indoors with bottom heat, for transplanting. Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days. If it rains after planting and corn does not emerge, just re-plant the area.

Starting

Do not soak corn seeds prior to planting. Plant 2-5cm (1-2″) deep (shallower for sh2 seed or in cool soil). Sow seeds around 7.5cm (3″) apart, in rows 60-90cm (24-36″) apart. Because corn is wind pollinated, plant in a dense block of at least 4 rows, rather than in single rows. This increases the chance of corn pollen, which emerges from male flowers at the growing tip, to fall down onto the receptive female silks that extend from each corn cob.

Growing

Ideal pH: 5.8-6.8. Corn is a heavy feeder, so add manure or compost, and use 500g (1 lb) of complete organic fertilizer per 6m (60′) of row, mixing it thoroughly into the soil beneath each seed furrow. Thin to at least 20-25cm (8-10″) apart in the row. Large eared and double-eared varieties need to be 30cm (24″) apart. Keep free of weeds until knee-high, and then leave it alone.
Use the days to maturity listed for comparative purposes among the varieties only – every garden may be different.

Days to Maturity: From direct sowing.
Harvest

When the silks at the end of an ear are a dry brown, the cob seems to start to droop, and the kernels release milky juice when cut.

About West Coast Seeds

West Coast Seeds  was founded in 1983 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our purpose is to source and supply seeds of a higher quality than have been available to home gardeners. Following the traditions of organic farming and gardening, untreated and certified organic seeds are our focus. West Coast Seeds is certified by the Pacific Agriculture Certification Society (Certification number 16-205).

 

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