Ornamental corn Amero is a very colourful variety of corn intended for ornamental use only. The corn cobs consist of a mixture of all kinds of colours mixed together. There are yellow, orange, dark blue, dark red light red and white grains scattered over the cobs. So, in short, it is a colourful enrichment for your vegetable garden.
Ornamental corn Amero can be used in homemade dried bouquets after the cobs have dried well. It is also nice to combine the dried cobs of ornamental corn Amero with pumpkins and gourds for a beautiful autumn scene on e.g. garden tables. Ornamental corn Amero can also be used to decorate homemade (Christmas) wreaths. Dry the cobs of this ornamental corn upside down in a moisture-free room with some air circulation (e.g. outside under a shelter). But not in the sun as this can fade the colours. For use in drying bouquets, it is necessary to leave a piece of the stem attached. Leave the outer leaves around the cob while drying. Allow the cobs to dry for 2-3 weeks before removing the leaves around the cobs. Non hardy annual. Height: 150 - 200 cm.
Indoor sowing: from the middle of March
Outdoor sowing: May - June
Germination: 10 - 14 days
Germination temp.: 10 - 20°C
Sowing depth: 2½ cm
Planting outside: May
Planting distance: 45 - 55 cm
Plant position: full sun and sheltered against the wind
Harvest period: September - November
For an early harvest, pre-sow indoors in early spring. Sow 1 seed per pot 2½ cm deep at at least 10 ºC, extra warmth ensures better germination. Plant out the young seedlings in the garden after the last night frost. Harden off the young plants before planting in the garden.
Sow outdoors from May - June.Sow directly in the garden after the last night frost. Sow the corn in rows with a planting distance of 45 cm and a row distance of 45 cm. Sow in blocks to optimise pollination.
Ornamental maize can be harvested from September. Make sure the tassels at the top of the cobs are completely brown and the outside of the cobs should be yellow and dry to the touch. Break off the cobs from the plant, leaving a piece of stem. The leaves around the cob should also stay on during drying. Hang the cobs to dry upside down in a moisture-free place with air circulation (e.g. outside under a shelter). Do not let the cobs dry in the sun as this may fade the colours. Let the cobs dry for 2-3 weeks before removing the leaves around them. Do not plant ornamental corn near other corn varieties. The cross-pollination that may follow can negatively affect the quality of the corn.
