Popcorn and Ornamental Corn

1. Popcorn and Ornamental Corn Key points • Popcorn characteristics • Growing popcorn • Harvesting & shelling • Popping • Ornamental corn • Problems

2. Popcorn (Zea mays) Introduction • Was probably the __________ type of corn to be consumed • Began in _____________ region of South America • Also widely used by North American natives • Actually a type of flint corn

3. Characteristics of Popcorn • Generally has ________________ ears • May be 2 to 3 ears per stalk • Comes in a range of colors • Red, blue, _______________, purple, orange • Standard cultivars are yellow or white • Popcorn can be grown both for popping or as an _________________

4. Popcorn Kernels • Pointed at the __________ and apex • Very hard endosperm • Have _________ pericarps • _______________ content very important for good popping • When heated the water expands • Causes kernel to turn itself inside out

5. Growing Popcorn • Plant in _____- _____ when soils have warmed • Popcorn has slow ___________ and seedling growth

6. Growing Popcorn • Pollination • Plant in _________________ to ensure good pollination • Not necessary to isolation from other types of corn • If popcorn sheds ______ at same time as sweet corn, sweet corn quality can be reduced

7. Popcorn Harvesting • Ears must reach full maturity • Allow ears to remain on plants until they reach about _______% moisture (about first frost) • Harvest ___________ and remove husks • Store ears for about 3 weeks in a sheltered, dry place, outdoors • Well ventilated to avoid mold • Brings moisture content down to ~____%; ideal for popping

8. Hand-shelling popcorn • Remove kernels from the ear by a vigorous _______ motion against your hands • Store the kernels in ________ containers • Popping ______ critical – ______ of popped corn from given weight of _______ kernels

9. Popping • __________ integrity is of utmost importance • It is like a pressure vessel • Heat _________ the moisture • Steam provides the driving force for _________ of the kernel • Popping occurs when the _______ ruptures • Rupture should not occur until ________ lbs per sq. inch of pressure is applied

10. Popping • Poor popping • Often occurs if moisture content is too low • Without proper storage, popcorn will dry to _______% moisture, which is too low for good popping • Can increase moisture by adding one tablespoon of water per ____________ of popcorn, shaking, and sealing in a container • If pericarp is broken, popping quality is greatly __________________ • If popcorn is “chewy” after popping then too much _________

11. Popcorn as a food • Nutritionally _________ popcorn is one of best snack foods • Popcorn contains: • More _________ and protein than a similar weight of whole wheat bread • 67% as much _______, 110% as much iron, and as much ______ as equal amount of beef • Added oil and salt lowers nutritional value

12. Ornamental Corn • New ornamental corns have________ in their parentage • Smaller ear size • Plant in mid-to-late May for mid- _______ harvest • Can find cultivars with _________ stalks, husks, and kernels

13. Ornamental Corn • Harvest ears when ________ is dry and ears beginning to dry down • Pick ears carefully so ________ not damaged • Pull husks back – so _____ and ears dry quickly • Tie ears together into bunches

14. Problems of popcorn and ornamental corn • Stalk standabilty and ear ______ important • Insect problems _________ to sweet corn • Damage from corn earworm, European corn borer, & corn _________ • Diseases – stalk rots & ear molds