Topic: Popcorn

[manicscousers]

we bought some popcorn, californian something, at saddad's open day in june..it's huge and the kernels are starting to turn, what's next ? does it have to dry out? will it do it before the plants die?..btw, it's in the polytunnel, thanks in advance  ;D

[saddad]

They will dry on the plant, but they'll dry quicker off... how soon do you want to be popping?
 :-\

[manicscousers]

do I have to wait for them to be fully ripe?
not bothered when to use them, they're for the little 'uns  :)

[saddad]

Try a few... I like to wait for them to shatter if hit with a hammer on a hard surface...  ;D

[manicscousers]

sounds like a plan, we've lots of cobs  ;D

[manicscousers]

finally managed to get some cobs off these, I've got them drying at the mo, will wait until they are rock hard and try popping them, any tips about this?

[manicscousers]

ok, here's one of the cobs, do I do it in the microwave or in a pan?

[GrannieAnnie]

Oooh, pretty color!  I do mine in a pan with some oil and keep shaking it so it doesn't scorch which it likes to do very quickly. Then of course have to add some calories with butter when it is popped.
Neat you grew it yourself. I gave up on it years ago when it notified all raccoons in the woods that we were serving popcorn.

[manicscousers]

thanks, granny, I bought the plants at saddad's open day, I think debP grew them, thought they would never get growing but came through in the end..the kids will be so made up, we'll try some at the bbq on saturday  ;D

[Deb P]

Yes, they were my 'Pink Popcorn' that I got from Canada...mine were outside, very slow to pod up and in the end I gave up and cleared them, so never got to see/eat any! ::) :'( They do look pretty!

[manicscousers]

such a shame, deb..ours topped 8' in the poly, bent over so the only ones pollinated were at the front, we were on holiday so couldn't shake them  :-\
still, we got a few like this one , if you're growing them next year, I'll buy some and plant some outside with a fleece barrier, we've done this before with ordinary sweetcorn and it worked well, just about 4' high , helped protect the plants until they were settled in  :)

[Deb P]

I think I'll grow the rest of the seeds I have for the plant sale...I'm sticking to 'Extra Tender & Sweet' and 'Incredible' next year..... :-\