Rio Grande Blue Ornamental Corn

The Rio Grande Blue Ornamental Corn is an ancient deep, all-blue corn native to the Hopi Native American tribe from the Rio Grande Pueblos in New Mexico! This captivating heirloom variety stands out with its mesmerizing blue kernels, ranging from deep navy to silvery azure tones. Its kernels are rich in flavor and nutrients, making it an excellent choice for grinding into flour or meal to create delicious, traditional recipes like tortillas and cornbread. The vivid blue color makes it an unforgettable addition to fall displays, wreaths, and other seasonal decorations, bringing natural beauty and charm to any settingThis highly drought-tolerant, deep-rooted variety grows corn stalks 5-7 feet in height and is a high yielder of 8-12 inch long cobs. The Hopi used the blue cobs in religious rituals to represent the Southwest, and made protein-rich blue cornmeal, which is 35% more protein-rich than yellow corn, to make bread and mush! Packed with antioxidants, Rio Grande Blue Ornamental Corn offers a healthy and visually stunning way to enhance your garden and your table.

Corn is one of the plants grown in the traditional Native American vegetable technique called the Three Sisters. The other two plants in the Three Sisters are beans and squash, and each has its role in the companion planting tradition. Corn serves as a support for the vining beans. Squash served as a ground cover, preventing weeds from growing. Beans provided natural fertilizer for all.

Also Known As: Blue Indian Corn, Hopi Maize, Yoeme Blue, Tarahumara Maiz Azul, Native American Corn, Flint Corn, Indian Corn, Pole Corn, Maize, Maise, Calico Corn, Popcorn, Ornamental Corn, Decorative Corn.

Plant Name:	Ornamental Corn, Rio Grande
Latin Name:	Zea mays
Days to Germinate:	10-14
Days to Harvest:	80-110
Plant Height:	7 - 9 Feet
Spread:	2 - 3 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	2-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Corn grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 15 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

For small gardens, corn is best planted in square blocks instead of long rows to improve cross-pollination between corn stalks.

Planting:

Ornamental Corn are best direct-sown because they often don’t transplant well. Plant corn outdoors in spring when soil temperatures warm to at least 65F. To plant, make holes 2 inches deep and spaced 8 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole. Plant 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	2 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	8 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	15 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Keep corn plants watered, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once corn plants reach 4-6 inches tall, you may optionally apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. A second round of nitrogen-rich fertilizer can be applied to plants when they reach 12-18 inches tall. Then a final round of nitrogen-rich fertilizer can be applied during the tasseling stage, just before ears silks emerge. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest ornamental corn when the kernels are fully mature, around 100 to 120 days after planting. The husks should be dry and the kernels should feel firm when pressed. Harvest ornamental corn after the first frost, as the cool temperatures help intensify the colors of the kernels. To harvest, use pruners or a sharp knife to cut the ears from the stalk, leaving a few inches of the cob intact. After harvesting, you can hang the corn in a cool, dry place to finish drying for a couple of weeks if needed, ensuring the kernels are fully set for storage or decorative use. You may optionally coat Indian corn with lacquer to give a shiny appearance.