Painted Mountain: Early multicolor flour corn on compact five-foot plants.About this varietyPainted Mountain is a flour corn with gold, orange, red, and purple kernels. Cornell documents 6 to 7 inch ears with eight rows, plants around 5 feet tall, maturity near 85 days, and tolerance of wind, cool soil, cold nights, heat, and drought.GrowingDirect sow in late spring after frost danger has passed and the soil at planting depth has warmed to about 60 to 65°F. Sow about 1 in deep, space plants about 10 in apart, and allow about 30 in between rows. Plant in a block of at least four short rows rather than one long row so wind-borne pollen can reach the silks. Grow in full sun in well-drained loam near pH 6.0–6.5. Use soil-test recommendations and compost or other appropriate fertility inputs because corn is a heavy feeder. Provide about 1 inch of water per week when rainfall is limited, with special attention during tasseling, silking, and ear fill. Cultivate shallowly to avoid damaging roots. The cultivar record documents stronger-than-average performance in cool spring soil, but seed should still be protected from prolonged cold, saturated conditions.Harvest and useHarvest tender ears only if using them fresh. For flour, hominy, or parching, leave ears until husks are dry and kernels are hard, then cure under cover, shell, clean, and store fully dried grain.Saving seedFor true-to-type seed saving, begin with seed confirmed to be open-pollinated. If the planting is open-pollinated, grow a broad population, preferably at least 200 plants, and select healthy true-to-type plants before pollen shed when possible. Corn is wind-pollinated and crosses readily. Grow one flowering variety at a time, isolate by adequate distance, or use a documented flowering-time plan. Allow seed ears to remain until husks are brown and kernels are very hard. Harvest before prolonged wet weather, cure ears with strong airflow, shell only when fully dry, remove damaged or off-type seed, and label the cultivar, year, field, and lot. Store cool, dark, and dry.
