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    ZP103

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    Sale

    Glass Gem

    • ZP103

      • Zea mays.  Glass Gem. Gorgeous translucent, jewel-colored ears, each one unique. A stunning variety selected over many years by Carl Barnes, a part-Cherokee farmer and breeder from Oklahoma. Selected from crossing several traditional corn varieties and saving seed from the vivid, translucent kernels. Gifted to NS/S by Bill McDorman who acquired the seed from Greg Schoen, one of Carl's students. To read the story behind this magnificent corn, check out this Native Seeds Blog post.  From our Seed Bank Collection.

      • The kernels may be ground into cornmeal or popped.
      • Size of ears range from 3-8 inches. 
      • Height of plants depend upon water, but can reach up to 9 feet, typically 6 feet. 
      • Glass Gem can be harvested approx. 110-120 days after planting when the husks are dry and brown for the most intense and translucent colors. 
      • Packet size 10g/approx. 50 seeds 
      • Seed Saver Size includes approx 50g/250 seeds plus information on corn pollination and seed saving. 
      • Limit 3 packets.

      All photos shown here are copyrighted by Greg Schoen and used with permission.

       

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    • $4.50
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    Customer Reviews

    Based on 105 reviews
    88%
    (92)
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    Isa
    Beautiful and Easy!

    Absolutely ecstatic about this corn. This was my first yr growing a corn of any sort, and I had such an easy time. I had a 100% germination rate, and every plant grew to full maturity. I planted in a block to improve pollination as I had a pretty small area to grow in, and I had great success. I did need to stake the corn because it tipped over during winds. The soil I planted in had been fallow for years and the corn still grew very well without any fertilizer (except some dry leaves from the yard).
    Keep in mind the cobs are petite, it’s not a large sized cob like a sweet corn cob you’d get in the grocery store. I haven’t popped it yet so can’t speak to that but it’s a beautiful decoration and I can’t wait to taste it.
    Zone 9b, Sacramento CA area.

    Isa review photo
    S
    Shaheen
    Beautiful and a dear memory with my mom

    I planted some about 5 years ago, and i had started to unpeel one when I realized it really was that ridiculous. So I handed the ears to my mom, who had dementia. She started peeling them and gasped, very clearly told me to close my eyes, and then only let me open them when she was done so she could surprise me. She was SO DELIGHTED. I cherish that memory- and she passed just a few months later. It’s time I grow some again. We all need some beauty and joy and whimsy and if pink and blue corn is the vehicle for it, that’s cool. Perhaps I’ll have friends over for an unveiling party.

    S
    Samantha Kennedy

    Glass Gem

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    Eleanor Santos-Higgins
    Glass Gem

    I have not had the opportunity to harvest the glass gem, too hot. But I have in the past harvested I'itoi sivol, variety of chilis, tomatoes and they somehow managed to survive the heat. But I am grateful to acquire seeds and plants when I can.

    J
    John Rhoads

    Glass Gem

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