Painted Mountain Corn: Maturity and Harvest

Описание: Join me, Dr. Katia Hougaard, as I shown the final stages of the Painted Mountain Corn (Zea mays) life cycle.

Painted Mountain Corn is a variety of flint corn (or flour corn according to some sources) created by plant breeder David Christensen via the extensive hybridization of indigenous and Euro-American corn varieties. Like other corn plants, this variety is an annual plant which completes its entire life cycle within one year. After pollen from the corn tassel of one plant makes contact with the corn silk of another plant, fertilisation occurs and the kernels of the corn cob develop. Unlike sweetcorn which is picked earlier to be eaten after light cooking, Painted Mountain Corn ears are left to dry and harden on the plant. The corn kernels are dried for long term storage and use in dishes such as pozole. Once the ears have matured, the plant naturally dies off since it has reached its goal of reproduction. The dead, dried out corn plants can be added to the compost pile at the end of the gardening season.

Music: Derek and Brandon Fiechter

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