Growing Popcorn - Popcorn Growing Conditions And How To Grow Popcorn

Plant seeds one inch deep in heavier soils, and up to two inches deep in sandy soil. Space the seeds about 8 inches apart. Plant in at least four rows, with 18 to 24 inches between rows. Popcorn germination takes longer than sweet corn, and most varieties require 90 to 120 days to reach full maturity.

Will popcorn grow if you plant it?

It is possible to grow plants from the kernels you get for making popcorn, but remember this is a corn that isn't any good as sweet corn. ... The kernels that have germinated should then be planted out into the ground in blocks of at least 3 x 3 (as corn is wind pollinated) and spaced at roughly 1' apart.

How do you grow and harvest popcorn?

Harvest. Allow the kernels to dry in the field as long as possible. When harvested, the kernels should be hard and the husks completely dry. After harvest, remove the husks and place the ears in mesh bags and hang in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location.

How do you sprout popcorn kernels?

Soak the (unpopped) popcorn kernels for 8 to 14 hours. They will then start sprouting in 1 1/2 days. They are often hit by blue mould while sprouting.

Where do they grow popcorn?

The United States is the world's biggest producer of popcorn. It typically grows in states like Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. One acre of land uses almost 30,000 seeds. Once the plant is fully mature, the corn is picked and fed through a combine, which removes the kernels from the cob.

Should I soak corn before planting?

Soak Corn Seeds

Sweet corn seeds can appear shrunken and shriveled; before they can germinate, they must slowly plump up with water. To help them along, soak dry seeds in water at room temperature overnight before planting.

Is growing popcorn profitable?

The average yield on an acre of popcorn ranges from 1,000 to 4,000 pounds of grain. That's anywhere from $2,500 to more than $10,000 per acre gross profit! The key points to remember when growing popcorn is to make sure it doesn't cross pollinate with other corn you may be growing.

How do you know when popcorn is ready to harvest?

Popcorn is ready to harvest when the silks turn brown and the kernels are fully mature, firm, and well colored. Leave corn drying on the stalks as long as possible, allowing the kernels to dry down naturally on the ear.

What is the best popcorn to grow?

The Best 7 Varieties of Popcorn

Carousel. I personally have a real penchant for rainbow colored veggies. ...
Glass Gem. The first time I saw and then planted this crop, I fell irrevocably in love with it. ...
Heirloom Popcorn. ...
Heirloom Strawberry. ...
Robust Yellow Hulles Hybrid. ...
Shaman's Blue. ...
Snow Puff.

How long does popcorn need to dry?

Six hours should be enough time to completely dry the kernels, they should be visibly shrivelled and feel firm to the touch. Allow them to cool at room temperature. The dried kernels are ready to pop into corn immediately, but they may be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

How long does popcorn take to germinate?

Plant seeds one inch deep in heavier soils, and up to two inches deep in sandy soil. Space the seeds about 8 inches apart. Plant in at least four rows, with 18 to 24 inches between rows. Popcorn germination takes longer than sweet corn, and most varieties require 90 to 120 days to reach full maturity.

Can you make your own popcorn kernels?

Plant seed popcorn in four or five short rows about 36 inches apart to ensure pollination. Plant corn seeds one inch deep and six inches apart. When the plants are five inches tall, thin them to 12 inches apart. Fertilize lightly in midsummer just before a rain to give them an added boost.

Can you boil popcorn seeds?

The Halfpops folks raise the moisture content in the kernels prior to popping to around 30 percent by boiling them first. ... If you want to make your own half-popped kernels, start with your favorite popcorn kernels and a pot of water. Once the water is boiling, drop the kernels in for around 30 minutes.

Can you pop beans like popcorn?

Yes, other seeds or grains can pop although not always as big and fluffy like popcorn. Puffed rice and wheat is created with hot air. The showy, but delicious Chinese dish, Sizzling Rice pops the rice using hot oil.

Is popcorn a healthy snack?

When it's air-popped and lightly seasoned, popcorn is an efficiently healthy snack. That's because it is a whole grain, and high-fiber whole grains have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and other health problems.

Is popcorn a vegetable?

Whole corn, like you eat on the cob, is considered a vegetable. The corn kernel itself (where popcorn comes from) is considered a grain. ... To complicate things a little more, many grains including popcorn are considered to be a fruit. This is because they come from the seed or flower part of the plant.

What is the best month to plant corn?

Corn is a warm-season annual that is best planted after the soil temperature reaches 60°F (16°C), usually two or three weeks after the last frost in spring. Corn planted in cold, wet soil is unlikely to germinate. Corn grows best in air temperatures from 60° to 95°F (16-35°C).

How do you speed up corn germination?

One easy way to make seeds germinate faster is to presoak them for 24 hours in a shallow container filled with hot tap water. Water will penetrate the seed coat and cause the embryos inside to plump up. Don't soak them for longer than 24 hours because they could rot. Plant the seeds immediately in moist soil.

What side of the garden should you plant corn?

Plant corn in full sun, clear from tall trees that might overshadow your crop. Corn varieties are predominately tall and should be planted on the North or East side of your garden so that shorter crops can also benefit from the best sunlight.

How do popcorn farmers make most of their money?

Most years we get to keep the harvest which is generally one truckload of popcorn. ... So most years the only cost we have in the popcorn plot is the tillage pass. The profit comes from the rent, free seed, and keeping the harvest. In return Weaver gets data from the thousands of tests they run on our acres.

How much does popcorn yield?

1/4 cup Popcorn Kernels = approximately 7 cups of popped popcorn. 1/3 cup Popcorn Kernels = approximately 10 cups of popped popcorn. 1/2 cup Popcorn Kernels = approximately 15 cups of popped popcorn.

Is popcorn made out of corn?

Some strains of corn (taxonomized as Zea mays) are cultivated specifically as popping corns. The Zea mays variety everta, a special kind of flint corn, is the most common of these. Popcorn is one of the six major types of corn, which includes dent corn, flint corn, pod corn, flour corn, and sweet corn.