Glass Gem Indian Corn Heirloom Seed - The Most Beautiful Corn in the World!

Finally got my seeds planted and harvested my first tiny crop of corn ever! Bought these seeds with the intention of planting them in a tropical mountain climate, likely very different than what they were grown in. These seeds were planted at 4' south & appx 6000' elevation. They were planted in poor rocky soil with river sand to cover and fill the area, in the off season (winter). Only 40 seeds were planted. Approximately half of them sprouted with my novice attempts at watering in the hot dry season. The garden plot was no more than 3' x 10' - VERY small for attempting a good corn pollination. I learned just after the flowering started that it would be a good idea to hand pollinate. I made the best late attempt as I could a couple times to pollinate all the silk. This is likely why many of the ears produced seedless cobs. During the grow season I attended a seed exchange and learned about how challenging growing corn from different regions of the world is here - most people stick with the tried and true varietals that have grown here for..ever. After learning about all the nasty pests that corn gets here I left feeling very sad that I had not researched growing corn AT ALL before planting, much less identifying the growing season. Local reports suggest that many species of plants do not go to seed here, especially corn. I went home and decided to pull several of the taller (4ft) already browned stalks to see how they had done. Many of them clearly showed insect damage with exposed ears. I had very little hope after hearing about how my neighbor's crops needed such intense care and attention. I was very surprised to see several nicely developed ears. A couple of them showed almost only even colored dark red/purplish-black seeds. This reminded me of the black corn seeds that my (not so near) neighbors had successfully grown. I have no idea if this is a normal patterning for this strain. The rest of the ears look just like the picture on this ad. Funny enough even a few of the seeds were so ready to grow they were already germinating on the ear! I can say though that the rest of the ears (not single colored) produced enough seeds to more than make up for my negligence in caring for this undersized garden attempt at growing corn. All in all an experienced grower should be able to produce excellent results from this crop, pretty much anywhere. With proper nutrition, water and soil conditions I expect this next crop to be amazing enough that I can distribute 2nd generation seeds from this latitude.

Update 9/6/19 I have started harvesting the corn and the results are great! So far there appear to two different varieties of corn. One shorter ear of corn (13 cm) but every kernal beautifully pearlescent in multiple colors. The other variety is longer (22 cm) with fewer colored kernals but still fun! I would purchase these again! (except I now have my own supply of 200k kernals) Update 8/14/19 A peak at one of the earliest formed cob of corn has been disappointing to say the least. With all the resources I have invested into this grow, I can only say I have been able to produce regular sweet corn - nice looking corn and stalks, but still just white to yellow kernals. From the muted colors of the seed corn, I had high aspirations but alas it is not be. I will allow the rest of the stalks to reach full maturity and I will report any changes in outcome. Update 8/7/19 Corn stalks are now 7' tall and are producing many ears of corn. Not wanting to surrender a single ear of corn to ear worms, I have sprayed the crop twice with Sevin insecticide per manufacturers instructions. The plants are vigorous and healthy in appearance. Update 7/18/19 Corn stalks are now about 5' tall and are doing well. A few stalks have started to tassle. Because of the second planting some plants are just 2' tall but are looking healthy. Should prove and interesting year for corn. All plants look hearty! Update 6/4/19 I was able to salvage 11 out of 21 plants so I ordered another 20 seeds and they all germinated and playing catch-up. All the plants look healthy in spite of their ordeal. You can almost see them growing Looks like a good crop! Update 5/24/19 Over the last 5 days, bad wind storms over Albuquerque has almost totally destroyed my gem corn seedlings. Only a few are remaining, not enough for self pollenation. This s experiment is terminated through no fault of the product. Maybe, I'll try again next year. The high winds have killed off large portions of my gardens and I don't have the funds to restart them. Update 5/16/19 The gem corn seeds have been growing now for about 5 weeks and it looks like they are ready to place in my garden plot. I have enriched a plot to allow planting in 14 " plant to plant, 24 between rows (5 rows by 4 columns) The grid is premeasured and marked with straws, this way I don't have to measure when planting. These seeds were received on time and in good condition. I received 21 seed corn and planted all in a germination tray. Of the 21 seeds 20 have germinated. The corn shoots grow at a phenomenal rate up to a centimeter in 24 hours. Pictured is the seed tray and the growing shoots and seed corn as received. When the projected date of last freeze in my area has past, I will move them to a small patch in my garden and continue a close watch on the corn stalks I will continue to feed and water them on schedule with Miracle-Gro and Super-Thrive I will post updates on a regular basis. (Looks exciting so far!)

I got about 5 seeds for $8.58. Unbelievable freakin ripoff. I am trying to grow this, not make a ring out of it. Tell you what Ivybee decals....(seed store???) Send me a proper package of seeds, and I will remove this review.

Feb 2017: My order arrived 3 days ahead of time, today! There are already noteworthy things to report back that may help someone else who is considering a purchase. The order was for 20 seeds; there are 21 in a tiny, zip-lock style plastic bag. I am happy to see this, as the plastic helps to protect the seeds from moisture. All of the seeds appear healthy and none of them are broken. They are immaculately clean. I can see different colors in them: yellow, orange, purple, blue, orange, white and green. Even if each of these only produces their own "color," then I will still have, collectively, a multi-colored harvest. Each seed seems very precious since they are these different colors! Plus, I favor green veggies so have not grown corn for many years. So, it is a relief that they came with brief directions as well as a pointer to a website for a how-to video. An unexpected, personal touch is an included photograph of the exact ear of corn that my seeds came from. How cool is THAT?!? My own children grew up with gardening and loved veggies from the beginning. I'm trying to help out a close relative whose children eschew veggies. This just might get them interested. Here's hoping! As I grow these I will post periodic updates. That will take a while from first post: it is 3 more months before I can even start these outside because of my gardening zone. I have one photo to post so far of the order; it is rotating as it uploads and I do not know why. Everything is still visible, so that's that! Happy garden planning, and please post your orders as they come in. Let's all keep helping each other! :)

They germinated just fine but I haven’t seen a single one keep growing once planted (in pretty fertile ground too). Going with 3 stars as I didn’t do a full controlled experiment to fully assess blame.

The package came with just shy of 20 seeds in it. I placed them in a wet paper towel and then sealed them in a ziplock bag. 5 days later I transferred them to my freshly tilled garden. 15 of the seeds germinated 4 did not. So they are good seeds in my opinion. Just know that rabbits will eat this corn variety when they are young. I had to put up some fencing to keep the rabbits away. I do not know if the deer will eat the corn. But so far the seeds are legit and I am excited to see what kind of yield I will get.

I was skeptical that gem corn was even a real thing after seeing reviews about other sellers, but this had reviews and pics so I gave it a try and I could not be more ecstatic with the results! Absolutely beautiful corn! I received 22 seeds (I think) and 18 grew and I harvested 42 ears. I wouldn't say it's edible other than for popcorn maybe (that's what I heard), but they're so beautiful I'm just drying them and using them for gifts/decorations. I definitely recommend!

Fine