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Calico Corn is an open-pollinated heirloom popcorn variety that transforms the garden into a celebration of color. Its ears, stretching 5 to 8 inches long, wear a kaleidoscopic coat of red, yellow, brown, black, green, blue, pink, and orange kernels, often in striking combinations across a single cob. This non-GMO annual thrives across zones 3 through 10, reaching 60 to 96 inches tall and maturing in 100 to 109 days. It handles heat and drought with remarkable resilience, making it a standout choice for gardeners seeking both visual drama and reliable harvests.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-10
96in H x ?in W
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High
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Every ear of Calico Corn is a work of art, displaying multiple colors and color combinations that vary from cob to cob, making each plant feel like a small-scale botanical experiment. This heirloom popcorn performs admirably in challenging conditions, tolerating heat and drought-prone regions where other corn varieties struggle. Growing to substantial heights of 5 to 8 feet, it commands presence in the garden while remaining productive even in marginal growing seasons.
Calico Corn is primarily grown for popcorn production, where its colorful kernels pop into white, fluffy corn suitable for snacking and culinary use. The dried ears also serve as striking decorative elements for fall arrangements and autumn displays, combining utility with visual interest in ways few vegetables can match.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Direct sow seeds when soil temperatures reach 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which typically occurs after the last frost date in your zone. Plant seeds 1 to 1.5 inches deep in groups, then thin to single plants at the spacing indicated.
Calico Corn reaches harvest maturity in 100 to 109 days. Pick ears when the husks turn brown and papery, and kernels have hardened to a stage where they resist pressure from a fingernail. Twist ears downward and pull sharply to detach them from the stalk. For popcorn use, allow ears to fully dry on the plant before harvesting, or cut and cure them in a warm, dry location for several weeks until kernels are rock-hard and ready to pop.
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“Calico Corn descends from the tradition of open-pollinated popcorn breeding, where farmers selected for visual diversity alongside popping performance. As a non-GMO, heirloom variety preserved through seed saving culture, it represents the genetic heritage of North American corn cultivation. These kernels carry the story of generations of gardeners who saved seed for both practical sustenance and ornamental appeal.”