Flor Del Rio corn brings the vibrant heritage of New Mexico's high desert to your garden. This heirloom variety produces small ears (4-6 inches) packed with a stunning mosaic of yellow, red, black, blue, white, chinmark, brown, and orange kernels. It pops into delicious white popcorn and contains exceptionally high levels of health-promoting carotenoids and anthocyanins. Growing 6-7 feet tall, it thrives in moderate water conditions and reaches maturity in full-sun gardens with well-draining soil.
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Moderate
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84in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The kernel colors alone justify growing Flor Del Rio: a kaleidoscope of hues on each small ear creates visual drama in the garden and on the kitchen counter. What makes this variety special is the nutritional density Native Seeds/SEARCH documented through recent analysis, showing it concentrates more of the pigments that give corn its antioxidant power than other varieties in their collection. The popcorn that emerges when you dry and pop the kernels is genuinely delicious, crisp and light, adding a real reward to the growing season.
Flor Del Rio corn is grown primarily for popcorn. The small ears dry beautifully, and when kernels are heated, they pop into a small, white, tender popcorn with genuine flavor. The striking colors make it equally suited to ornamental corn displays and seed-saving projects, where the visual appeal of harvested ears inspires conversations about heirloom diversity.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Direct sow seeds when soil temperatures consistently reach 60-75°F and frost danger has completely passed. Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep, spacing them 12 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. Corn grows vigorously from seed and does not require transplanting.
Allow ears to remain on the plant until they are fully mature and the kernels have hardened completely, typically late in the growing season. The husks will dry and papery texture indicates readiness. Harvest by hand, twisting ears downward and away from the stalk. For popcorn, kernels must be completely dry; many growers pull entire ears and allow them to cure in a dry location for 2-3 weeks before shelling and storing the kernels.
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“Flor Del Rio originates from Velarde, New Mexico, collected from the high desert at approximately 5,500 feet elevation. The variety is part of Native Seeds/SEARCH's Seed Bank Collection, a living archive dedicated to preserving the agricultural heritage of the Southwest. Its journey from traditional New Mexico farming communities to contemporary gardeners reflects decades of seed-saving work by Indigenous and local farmers who maintained these genetics through careful selection and replanting across generations.”