Dynamite Popcorn
Zea Mays Everta
Dynamite Popcorn is another proven open-pollinated popcorn variety for Hawaii’s home gardens. Grown and selected in Hawai'i for many years, this selected variety is a delicious classic mushroom shaped yellow popcorn with a smooth buttery flavor. Also known as “Yellow Giant” or “Sunburst” stalks reach 5 feet high with a good root and stalk strength. Ears are from 6-9 inches long and have 12-14 rows of big yellow kernels. It is NOT uncommon to harvest 1# per stalk.
Dynamite is a high quality gourmet popcorn that is exceptionally crisp, tender and “corny.” It was first introduced in 1931 and has the largest kernel of any of the OP popcorns.
When planting, plant in a block of rows instead of one long row, as you will have much better pollination. Corn is wind pollinated and you can "encourage" better pollination by occasionally shaking the flower stalks as they are shedding pollen. Popcorn should be harvested from the field when the outside husk and silks turn brown and shrivel. I like to take the outside husk off and dry the corn cobs by hanging them in bunches on my porch. Popcorn must be thoroughly dry before taking the kernels off the cob in a bowl on your lap. When dry, the kernels come off easily. Before popping, do a test run with 10-20 kernels and make sure it is dry enough to pop well. If not, more drying will be needed in Hawaii’s moist environment. Occasionally I put the kernels in my solar dryer for ONE additional day, then try another popping. Store in a tight fitting glass jar on the shelf. There is a very useful tool called a Hand Popcorn Sheller, available easily on the internet that is totally worth the $8 price! Bon Appetit!
Seeds grown on Hawai'i Island.
Open Pollinated
60 seeds per packet
Cultivation:
Depth: 1-1/2 to 2 inches deep
Germination: 7 to 14 days
Spacing: Plant 8 inches apart
Maturity: 85-110 days
Plant from early February to July in Hawai'i.
Each plant grows 5 feet tall with 1-2 long ears per plant.