Early Caribbean Flint Corn

Zea Mays
 
Originally from the British Virgin Islands - from the landrace Early Caribbean - this beautiful variety is well adapted to Hawai'i. As the kernels are on the flinty side, Early Caribbean makes a nice cornmeal for baking. Polenta or Hominy comes out dense and chewy. Vigorous, relatively tall and early to harvest plants with natural genetic resistance to Maize Mosaic Virus, one of Hawaii's most serious impediments to corn growing.
 
Corn is best direct seeded in blocks, rather than long rows to ensure optimal pollination. Corn is wind pollinated and you can 'encourage' better pollination by occasionally shaking the flower stalks as they are shedding pollen. Corn shoud be harvested from the field when the outside husk and silks turn brown and silks shrivel. I like to take the husk off and dry the corn cobs by hanging them in bunches on my breezy and cool porch. Corn must be thoroughly dry before taking the kernels off the cob in a bowl on your lap. When dry, the kernels come off easily. 
Grown on O'ahu.
 
Open Pollinated 
60 seeds per packet
 
Cultivation:
Planting Depth: 1"
Spacing: 12"
Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 95-100 days