Glass Gem Corn is a striking, multi-colored variety of maize known for its unique aesthetic. The vibrant, translucent kernels resemble polished jewels, captivating gardeners and enthusiasts. This visually remarkable heirloom variety is distinct from the yellow or white corn most people are familiar with. This article explores the biological classification of Glass Gem Corn, its origins, the practical uses for its kernels, and the specific considerations for growing it.
Defining the Unique Characteristics
Glass Gem Corn is botanically classified as a variety of flint corn (Zea mays indurata). This means the kernels possess a hard, smooth outer layer protecting a soft, starchy endosperm inside. The kernels on a single cob display an astonishing array of colors, including shades of blue, pink, purple, green, and orange, often with a translucent quality.
The vibrant coloration is due to anthocyanin pigments in the kernel’s aleurone layer. Unlike sweet corn, flint corn is allowed to fully dry on the stalk, causing the kernels to harden significantly. This hard exterior distinguishes it from dent corn or tender sweet corn. The resulting dried ears are relatively small, typically measuring between three and eight inches in length, with each stalk potentially yielding two to five ears.
The Seeds of History: Origin and Legacy
The development of Glass Gem Corn is rooted in the preservation of ancestral Native American corn strains. The modern variety was selectively bred by Carl Barnes, an Oklahoma farmer, who grew older corn varieties to reconnect with his heritage. Barnes focused on isolating and preserving traditional corn types that had been lost to various Native American tribes after their relocation in the 1800s.
During the 1980s, Barnes began cross-breeding ancestral corns, combining a Pawnee miniature popcorn with two Osage varieties: Osage Red Flour and Osage Greyhorse. He diligently selected and saved seeds from cobs that exhibited the most vivid, translucent colors over many seasons. As Barnes aged, he entrusted his collection to fellow seedsman Greg Schoen in 1994, who continued the selection process and began sharing the seeds widely. Schoen is credited with naming the corn “Glass Gem,” and its unique appearance gained massive public attention after a photo went viral in 2012.
Practical Applications: Edibility Versus Ornamentation
The primary use of Glass Gem Corn is often ornamental, valued for fall displays and decorations. The dried ears are a popular novelty item, frequently sold as “Indian corn” due to their multi-colored appearance. Glass Gem is entirely edible, though it is not consumed fresh like sweet corn and the hard kernels must be processed before consumption.
The dried corn can be ground into cornmeal or flour, which can be used to make baked goods or polenta. Glass Gem Corn is also well-suited for popping, as it shares the necessary characteristics of popcorn varieties. When popped, the colorful kernels transform into white or light-yellow pieces, identical in appearance to standard popcorn.
Growing Glass Gem Corn
Cultivating Glass Gem Corn requires attention to its long growing season and cross-pollination tendencies. This variety requires between 100 to 120 days to reach full maturity. Seeds should be planted in the spring after the last frost date, once the soil temperature consistently reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure successful germination.
For proper wind pollination, the corn must be planted in a block formation, consisting of multiple short rows, rather than a single long row. This arrangement increases the likelihood that pollen from the tassels will reach the silks of the developing ears. If saving seeds for future planting, the Glass Gem Corn must be isolated from all other corn varieties by a significant distance, often a quarter mile or more. Cross-pollination with sweet corn or other types will not affect the appearance of the current year’s cobs but will impact the colors and quality of the seeds saved.