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Glass Gem Flint Corn Seeds

Glass Gem Flint Corn Seeds

Regular price $6.49
Sale price $6.49 Regular price
~8.0 g (~38 seeds)
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Product Details

An unbelievably stunning corn bred by part-Cherokee farmer, Carl Barnes, from ancestral, Native American corn. Ears are a kaleidoscope of gem-like, rainbow kernels. 'Glass Gem' goes beyond pretty ornamental corn, it can also be used to make cornmeal, flour, popcorn, or traditional parched corn.

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  • Variety Info
  • Sowing Info
  • Growing Info

Variety Info

Days to Maturity: 100–110 days

Family: Poaceae

Type: Flint Corn (Learn More)

Native: Americas

Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual

Exposure: Full sun

Plant Dimensions: 6'–10' tall

Variety Info: Ears are 3"–8" long, with colorful, opalescent kernels; 2–5 ears per stalk depending on conditions. Developed from crosses of heirloom Pawnee miniature popcorns with an Osage red flour corn, and another Osage corn called 'Greyhorse'.

Attributes: Frost Sensitive

Sowing Info

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F.

When to Start Inside: Not recommended.

Days to Emerge: 5–10 days

Seed Depth: 1"–1 ½"

Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"

Row Spacing: 24"–36"

Thinning: When 4" tall, thin to 1 every 12"

Growing Info

Harvesting: Let the ears dry on the stalks. The kernels are ready for harvest when they are hard and you can no longer leave a mark on them with your fingernail. Before the first fall frost, give each ear a twist until it breaks off. Peel back the husks, then hang the ears in a cool, dark, dry place for 4 to 6 weeks to cure. This is important to prevent mold and to dry to the optimal moisture percentage for popping. (In a perfect popcorn world, that would be 13½–14%.) After that, the cobs are ready for popping or storing. To strip off cured kernels, twist the cobs back and forth to loosen them (gloves are recommended).

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
Based on 27 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 21 Total 4 star reviews: 4 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 1
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27 reviews
  • Hilary P.
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Jul 5, 2024
    5 Stars

    3 sisters garden and raised bed with all BI seeds including: Glass gem corn, tetra dill, dragon fennel, patty pan squash, contender and orient wonder beans, mammoth and a couple other sunflowers, jewel nasturtiums, zinnias, dwarf marigolds, howden and red warty thing pumpkins, yellow watermelons, mini cukes, soooo many peppers, alaska nasturtiums, and lots of weeds.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
  • Nate i.
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Sep 24, 2023
    5 Stars

    Glass gem corn. Zone 5b. Colorado

    Every kernel I planted germinated within 10-14 days. I direct sowed 16 kernels in 3 rows in a 2ft x 4ft raised bed space on May 7th. I only planted one cell with 2 kernels. Plant spacing and row spacing used was 9 inches with the middle rows plant locations staggered from the two outside rows. The plants were 7 inches tall by June 3rd.

    The corn withstood a tornado in Highlands ranch on June 22nd. One stalk was cut down by a hail stone, the stalk is regrowing.

    By August 3rd, the corn is starting to tassel and stand from 5 to 7 feet tall.

    By August 15th, the corn is 6 to 9 ft tall. Each stalk has 2 to 3 ears emerging. I watered the corn regularly and used fish emulsion early in the growth cycle.

    I picked the ears on September 24th. I harvested around 20 ears. A few ears had pollination issues which I partially expected since I grew this in a small block. I'm very happy with the results.

  • sierra h.
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Mar 16, 2025
    4 Stars

    I love the way these cobs came out! they're absolutely beautiful. Some came out smaller than others but I was still pleased with the outcome. I would not recommend for popping however as they pop extremely small.

  • Andrea H.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Jan 22, 2025
    5 Stars

    These are so new to me that I thought people would enjoy growing them. Very pretty colors.

  • Sharon G.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Dec 9, 2024
    5 Stars

    Excited to see the "END" results!!