Gila River A'al Hu:n Corn is a flour-type corn from the Gila River Indian Community in central Arizona, bred to thrive in the Southwest's arid climate with minimal irrigation. The ears grow to 5 to 7 inches with a distinctive mix of cream-colored flour kernels and clear flinty kernels on small cobs. What makes this variety remarkable is its speed; it matures quickly even under water-stressed conditions, and the ears show strong natural resistance to fungal damage, a major advantage in humid growing regions.
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Moderate
2-10
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Developed by and grown with the Gila River Indian Community, this corn embodies generations of desert agriculture adapted to survive on limited water. The kernels strike a careful balance between flour and flint types, positioned between two other community varieties, making it uniquely suited to both grinding and eating fresh. Its proven ability to mature rapidly with minimal irrigation, combined with natural fungal resistance, makes it a genuine problem-solver for gardeners in dry climates or those practicing water-conscious farming.
Gila River A'al Hu:n Corn, with its flour-type and flint-kernel composition, is well-suited to grinding into cornmeal and flour, making it excellent for traditional Southwest cooking including corn tortillas, polenta, and baked goods. The balance of kernel types also allows for eating fresh or roasting, offering flexibility beyond purely grain uses. Its small cobs and efficient dry farming characteristics make it particularly valuable for gardeners and farmers prioritizing water conservation and regional food production.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Direct sow Gila River A'al Hu:n Corn after the last frost date when soil has warmed, as corn requires warm soil for germination. Plant seeds in hills or rows spaced appropriately for corn cultivation, timing the planting to allow for the variety's relatively quick maturation cycle.
Harvest ears when fully mature; the kernels should be dry and hard for storage and grinding, which typically occurs later in the season than fresh-eating corn varieties. For fresh eating, pick when kernels are still plump but beginning to show their characteristic cream color and flinty appearance. The 5 to 7 inch ear size makes handling straightforward; husks should be fully dry or nearly dry at harvest time.
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“Gila River A'al Hu:n Corn originates from the Gila River Indian Community in central Arizona, where it has been grown and refined over generations as part of the region's traditional agricultural heritage. The variety represents the Community's deep knowledge of desert farming and water management, developed through centuries of cultivating corn in the challenging Southwest climate. It exists as part of a distinct family of community-selected varieties, including Smoik Hu:n and Ki:kam Hu:n, each with its own kernel composition and growing characteristics. The recent crop documentation from Native Seeds/SEARCH shows ongoing cultivation through modern "irrigated dry farming" methods, demonstrating how traditional varieties continue to evolve within contemporary sustainable agriculture.”