Popcorn black is an organically grown variety. Popcorn black originates from Romania. This old variety produces a large amount of very dark purple to almost black corn seeds. The small seeds are very tasty. To eat them, they can be prepared with butter and sugar or salt. The easy-to-grow plants ripen quickly. To let the seeds pop well, they should not be completely dry. A humidity of about 15% is ideal. Normally 3 - 5 cobs are produced per plant. This deliciously sweet tasting corn variety has a nice nutty and aromatic flavor. These plants are very beautiful to look at and the corn cobs are also very beautiful. The corn seeds have a firmer bite than the seeds of sweet corn. The taste is slightly less sweet than the taste of sweet corn. To grow well, the plants need a lot of warmth, sun and shelter. Also provide sufficient water and do not let the plants dry out. Give the plants a sturdy support. Like sweetcorn, popcorn should be set in blocks for optimum pollination. This unusual popcorn variety requires some processing before it can be eaten. Make sure the cobs are well ripened before picking. The cobs are ripe when the tassels on top have turned brown and the outer shell of the cob is yellow. The seeds inside the cob should feel hard. Let the corn dry in a warm, humid place. Hang the popcorn upside down to dry, but make sure they don't dry out completely. A humidity of about 15% is ideal. Without this moisture the seeds can't pop.
Use Popcorn black to make delicious, homemade popcorn. This can be done in a pan with a little oil. Put a lid on the pan and only remove the lid when the seeds have popped. Sprinkle the popcorn with some salt or sugar to finish it off. Non hardy annual. Height: 100 - 300 cm.
Indoor sowing: from the beginning of March
Outdoor sowing: May - June
Sowing depth: 2½ cm
Germination: 10 - 14 days
Germination temp. : 10 - 20 °C
Transplanting outdoors: may
Plant distance: 45 cm
Plant position: full sun with some shelter
Harvest period: August - October
For an early harvest, popcorn maize can be started indoors from mid-March onwards. Sow one seed per pot at a depth of approximately 2½ cm in loose, nutrient-rich potting compost. During germination, maintain a temperature of at least 10°C; additional warmth will ensure faster and more reliable germination. Keep the compost evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. Germination usually takes 10 - 14 days. After the first leaves appear, place the young plants in a bright location so they can continue to grow strongly. Before planting the seedlings outdoors, they must first be hardened off. Gradually acclimatise the young plants to outdoor temperatures over approximately one week by placing them outside during the day and bringing them indoors again at night. After the last night frosts, the plants can be planted out in the open ground in May.
From May to June, once there is no longer any risk of night frost and the soil has warmed sufficiently, maize can also be sown directly outdoors. Sow the seeds approximately 2½ cm deep. It is best to plant maize in blocks rather than in a single row. This improves pollination, as maize is mainly pollinated by wind. Maintain a planting distance of 45 - 55 cm and provide enough space between the plants. Choose a warm, sunny and sheltered location with fertile soil. Protect the tall plants from strong winds if necessary. The cobs can be harvested from August to October. Wait until the outer husk of the cob is completely yellow and feels dry before harvesting. The kernels should feel hard and firm.
After harvesting, the cobs need to be dried further. Hang them for several weeks in a warm, well-ventilated place until the kernels have reached a moisture content of approximately 14%. This moisture level is important, as the kernels will otherwise not pop properly. Test a few kernels before using the entire harvest. If the popcorn does not pop well, the kernels can be lightly moistened if necessary. Place the kernels together with a small amount of water in a sealed container, shake well, and allow them to rest for some time before testing again.
Do not plant sweetcorn near popcorn maize. Cross-pollination can negatively affect the quality of sweetcorn, causing the kernels to become less sweet and less flavoursome.
