Worlds Largest Giant Corn Seeds Cuzco
Price for Package of 5 seeds.
Native to Peru and Ecuador Peruvian Giant Corn - also known as Choclo is a hideously large variety of corn.
The stalks reach up to 5 - 5,50 meters in height, a runt in a litter of this cultivar would tower over standard varieties at a whopping 4 metars.
In standard varieties of corn the average weight runs from 25 - 35 grams per 100 kernels In Peruvian Giant Corn the weight per 100 kernels runs from 90 - 95 grams per 100 kernels - that's nearly 3 times the size and yield.
It is a late maturing corn and is estimated to need 120 - 150 days to mature. They are not an easy crop to produce, it requires determination and vigilance to grow.
One would think being indigenous to the Andes mountainous they would be adapted to windy conditions, but this is not the case. They evolved in the Peruvian Urrabamba Valley and vicinity which is sheltered and has relatively mild weather.
Peruvian Giant Corn aka Choclo
They do not withstand strong winds and need persistent staking, at 4 - 5,50 metars in height that's a chore and a half.
The plants produce numerous relatively short cobs with gigundous kernels.
The taste is comparable to standard sweet corn. It is not overly sweet - mild to blandly sweet with a creamy texture would be the best description. Peruvians usually boil them. In Ecuador and Bolivia they dry them first then burst or "pop" them in oil - somewhat like popcorn. We gringos can enjoy them the same as any other corn.
Corn Should be planted in blocks as opposed to rows and should not be planted near other varieties of Corn [See - Isolating Sweet Corn.] Cross pollination tends to produce poor tasting starchy corn. Sugar Pearl, as per some suppliers does not need to be isolated as other varieties do - this is just fine for the Sugar Pearl, but not necessarily the other variety.
Peruvian Giant Corn can be seeded directly into the soil, or it can also be started indoors and later transplanted. If starting indoors be sure you have a larger than standard container as it could easily outgrow the container before transplant time. Whichever you choose, Plant it in blocks, at least four rows wide, for proper pollination and well-filled ears
Sowing depth Aprox.: 5 cm
Germination: 6 to 8 days
Maturity: at 120 - 150 days.
Color: White - Pale Yellow
Seed Spacing: 30-35 cm apart.
Row spacing: 100 cm
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3- 9
Plant Size: 400 - 550 cm
Corn cob Size: 17-20 cm Long
Full Sun
Above Average Yields per Sq. Footage - Anticipate 3 or more ears per Stalk.
Corn has shallow roots, and uses a lot of nitrogen as well as trace elements. To help your crop get off to the best start possible, prepare the soil first with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Well rotted manure or compost is also helpful.
Plant in the northern side of the garden as corn stalks will deny sunlight to the rest of your garden crops ,you also might want to grow some where it will provide shade to plants that can not tolerate full sunlight.