Strawberry corn, the seeds of which began to be sold recently, belongs to the decorative varieties of agricultural crops. The plant loves warmth and sun, and feels normal in regions of Russia where climate conditions are suitable for cultivating sweet corn.
Appearance of the variety
The stem of an annual ornamental grass grows a meter in length, in rare cases one and a half. The oblong thin leaves are covered with white stripes. Small cobs shine through against a green background, standing out with an unusual purple hue for corn.Their length does not exceed 10 cm, diameter is up to 8 centimeters. The cob has a wide base, tapering upward, like a strawberry.
At the stage of milk maturity, cereal grains have a sweet taste; they are enjoyed by children and consumed by adults. The harvest ripens in August and early September.
How is it used?
Strawberry corn serves as a hedge for summer cottages; beautiful bushes are used as a background for other ornamental crops. Amazing flowers are cut out of leaf wrappers and appliqués are made. Small purple cobs, shaped like pine cones and berries, are used to make winter bouquets that do not lose their color for years.
Nutrients are preserved in strawberry corn even after cooking. It contains many vitamins of different groups, and contains components without which the body cannot function normally:
- potassium and calcium;
- magnesium and manganese;
- iron and copper;
- zinc and phosphorus.
When grinding the grains of the strawberry variety, flour is obtained, which has a natural dye. It is used for baking pies, cakes, biscuits.
Soil preparation and fertilization
Growing strawberry corn is no more difficult than a regular sugar or fodder variety. After harvesting beans, legumes or grains, the soil in your dacha or garden needs to be dug up and fertilizer added. After 2 weeks, using a harrow or cultivator, they begin to cultivate the soil, due to which the weeds sprout in smaller numbers.
When the cobs are formed, Corn especially needs nitrogen. With a lack of this microelement, the leaves turn yellow and dry out. With phosphorus deficiency, they acquire a reddish tint. Feeding with potassium helps:
- increasing disease resistance;
- increasing productivity;
- acceleration of growth.
Calcium is needed to reduce soil acidity. From autumn or spring before planting corn superphosphate and potassium salt are added. The culture responds well to organic fertilizers - manure, compost, wood ash, and loves the sun.
Planting methods
Strawberry corn is sown in the garden at the end of April, in early May, when the air temperature reaches 13 degrees. 3 grains are placed in each hole to a depth of 7 cm. The distance between plants should be no more than 40 centimeters. When the first shoots appear, 2 sprouts are left in the nest. The strawberry variety is wind pollinated.
In regions of Russia where summers are short, the crop is grown using seedlings. The grains, heated in the sun for several days, are sown to a depth of 3 cm in peat peas, filled with soil, sand and compost, and wood ash is added to the mixture. Seedlings are fertilized once every 8–10 days, and the soil is regularly moistened.
Care and treatment
In order for decorative corn not only to decorate your summer cottage, but also to reward you with a harvest of miniature cobs with sweet grains, you need to carry out simple agricultural work on time:
- Loosen the ground.
- Remove weeds.
- Thin out the seedlings.
- Feed the soil with organic matter and mineral fertilizers.
When side shoots appear on the stem, it is better to carefully tear them off. Planting strawberry corn during the growing season is treated with fungicides, since wireworms, moths and other pests may appear.
