Happy With My Dark Purple Corn Harvest.

My first time growing Dark Purple Corn in my garden was in August and I posted about my experience on 16th September, 2016. You can click here to read about it. I was not satisfied with the miserable harvest and I was keen to have another go at growing the corn again. I have some seeds given to me by another friend and I sowed the seeds.

This is one of the 3 seedlings that I planted in big flower pots. The other 2 seedlings went into another pot.

I noticed that this round, the plants look more healthy. I made sure they have enough of water and fertilizer.

The male flowers  or tassels have appeared on the tip of the plants.

Roots of the corn plant.

The first ear of corn appeared and the silk is beige to light brown.

And below the 1st ear of corn, I noticed a another smaller one.

From another plant, I noticed it had purple silk on its ear of corn.

Its neighbour plant also has purple silk on its ear of corn.

I googled to find out when is the right time to harvest the ears of corn. Everyday, I checked on the silk and patiently waited for the right time to harvest.

One day I was choosing a few ears of corn to buy at the supermarket. There was a lady who was collecting only the corn silk. She told me that she will boil the corn silk in water and drink the corn silk tea for its medicinal benefits e.g. treating urinary infection.

I googled and found out that corn silk is used for treating bladder infection, helps reduce inflammation of urinary system and prostate, kidney stones and bed wetting. It is also used for treating congestive heart failure, diabetes (alters sugar level), high blood pressure, fatigue & high cholesterol levels.

I harvested the first fruit from my corn plant.

Instead of purple kernel, I was very surprised to see only a few purple spots. I was expecting to see a dark purple corn!

I was quite happy with the first fruits even though it didn't turn out to be a purple corn and with some of the kernels or fruits missing! I ate this corn raw and it was sweet and fresh!

Here is a closer look at the tassels or male flowers of the corn plant.

My final harvest of 2 big ears of corn and a smaller ear of corn. Altogether I harvested 3 big ears of corn + 1 small ear of corn from 3 corn plants.

This round I can see more purple on the fruits and the rest were deep and light yellow. This time my corn plants were more fruitful and I had a better harvest.

Corns are rich in vitamins and minerals. Corns have high fiber and are claimed to reduce risk of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer. Eating corn also add bulk to loose stools and help reduce IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and diarrhea.

I chose to steam these for both hubby and I. They may not look good but we like the taste of the steamed corn. At first, hubby thought they were over matured, but they were not. They tasted sweet and slightly glutinous or chewy. We both love to eat corn. I am now encouraged to grow more corn plants in my garden.

Righteous chews on wisdom like a dog on a bone,

rolls virtue around on his tongue.

His heart pumps God's Word like blood through his veins;

his feet are as sure as a cat's.

(Psalm 37:30-31, The Message-MSG)