Description

Despite its appearance on maturity, Corn ‘Anasazi’ is a sweetcorn not a maize. Multi-coloured kernels of dried cobs can be red, blue, yellow or white. However, cobs are best picked while kernels are still yellow (or sometimes white). This is an old variety; ‘Anasazi’ means ‘ancient one’. Grows to 2 metres, with two (sometimes more) cobs per plant. This variety is more drought tolerant than other varieties of sweet corn.
Plant corn in blocks not rows – it is wind-pollinated. Plants close to each other in every direction have more chance of being properly pollinated. Better still, hand-pollinate each plant. Every tassel needs to be pollinated for a kernel to develop.
Because corn and maize are wind-pollinated, do not grow two (or more) different varieties close to each other if wanting to collect ‘pure’ seed. If they must be close together due to lack of space, start each variety at different times.
To harvest corn/maize for seed, let the cob dry out completely on the plant. A thumbnail pressed into a kernel should not leave any mark if the cob is properly dried. Whether used for grinding, popping or seed-saving, cobs must remain on the plant until completely dry; then the husks are removed and the cobs air-dried for a further two weeks.