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Popcorn and Ornamental Corn Key points Popcorn characteristics Growing popcorn Harvesting & shelling Popping Ornamental corn Problems

Popcorn and Ornamental Corn Key points Popcorn characteristics Growing popcorn Harvesting & shelling Popping Ornamental corn Problems

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Popcorn and Ornamental Corn

Key points Popcorn

characteristics Growing popcorn Harvesting &

shelling Popping Ornamental corn Problems

Popcorn (Zea mays)Introduction Was probably the

__________ type of corn to be consumed

Began in _____________ region of South America

Also widely used by North American natives

Actually a type of flint corn

Characteristics of Popcorn

Generally has ________________ ears May be 2 to 3 ears per stalk Comes in a range of colors

Red, blue, _______________, purple, orange Standard cultivars are

yellow or white Popcorn can be grown

both for popping or as an _________________

Popcorn Kernels

Pointed at the __________ and apex

Very hard endosperm Have _________ pericarps _______________ content very

important for good popping When heated the water expands Causes kernel to turn itself inside out

Growing Popcorn

Plant in _____- _____ when soils have warmed Popcorn has slow ___________ and seedling

growth

Growing Popcorn

Pollination Plant in _________________ to ensure good

pollination Not necessary to isolation from other

types of corn If popcorn sheds ______ at same

time as sweet corn, sweet corn quality can be reduced

Popcorn Harvesting Ears must reach full

maturity Allow ears to remain on

plants until they reach about _______% moisture (about first frost)

Harvest ___________ and remove husks

Store ears for about 3 weeks in a sheltered, dry place, outdoors

Well ventilated to avoid mold

Brings moisture content down to ~____%; ideal for popping

Hand-shelling popcorn Remove kernels from

the ear by a vigorous _______ motion against your hands

Store the kernels in ________ containers

Popping ______ critical – ______ of popped corn from given weight of _______ kernels

Popping __________ integrity is of

utmost importance It is like a pressure vessel

Heat _________ the moisture Steam provides the driving

force for _________ of the kernel

Popping occurs when the _______ ruptures

Rupture should not occur until ________ lbs per sq. inch of pressure is applied

Popping Poor popping

Often occurs if moisture content is too low Without proper storage, popcorn will dry to

_______% moisture, which is too low for good popping

Can increase moisture by adding one tablespoon of water per ____________ of popcorn, shaking, and sealing in a container

If pericarp is broken, popping quality is greatly __________________

If popcorn is “chewy” after popping then too much _________

Popcorn as a food Nutritionally _________

popcorn is one of best snack foods

Popcorn contains: More _________ and

protein than a similar weight of whole wheat bread

67% as much _______, 110% as much iron, and as much ______ as equal amount of beef

Added oil and salt lowers nutritional value

Ornamental Corn New ornamental

corns have________ in their parentage

Smaller ear size Plant in mid-to-late

May for mid- _______ harvest

Can find cultivars with _________ stalks, husks, and kernels

Ornamental Corn Harvest ears when

________ is dry and ears beginning to dry down

Pick ears carefully so ________ not damaged

Pull husks back – so _____ and ears dry quickly

Tie ears together into bunches

Problems of popcorn and ornamental corn

Stalk standabilty and ear ______ important

Insect problems _________ to sweet corn

Damage from corn earworm, European corn borer, & corn _________

Diseases – stalk rots & ear molds