Variety field guide
What to expect from Painted Mountain Flour corn Seeds
Painted Mountain Flour corn seeds grow into upright/erect plants reaching 73–96 in and producing 6–7 in ears; 8 kernel rows. The mixed kernels are suited to block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Painted Mountain Flour corn seeds grow into upright/erect plants reaching 73–96 in and producing 6–7 in ears; 8 kernel rows. The mixed kernels are suited to block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Painted Mountain Flour Corn Seeds produce hardy heirloom flour corn with multicolored kernels bred for high altitudes and exceptional flavor in breads and tortillas.
About Painted Mountain
Painted Mountain is an annual flour corn with mixed color, 73–96 in mature height or spread, and an upright/erect habit. Harvest form or size: 6–7 in ears; 8 kernel rows. Botanically it is Zea mays L. Maturity or first bloom: 80-89 Days; germination: 7-10 Days at 70–85 °F. Best for block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Soft starchy kernels that mill readily into fine meal or flour.
History and provenance
Painted Mountain is an early flour-corn population developed by Dave Christensen through decades of selection from many northern and high-elevation corn accessions. The breeding goal emphasized short-season maturity, cold-soil emergence, drought resilience, and a broad range of kernel colors. It was selected over many generations under short, cool growing seasons in Montana. Because it is a composite population, ears and kernel colors can vary, and seed saving should retain a broad population rather than narrowing the line to only one color. Its history is a modern composite-breeding story; the individual ancestral accessions should not be collapsed into one tribal or regional origin claim.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Zea mays L. |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / first bloom | 80-89 Days |
| Germination | 7-10 Days at 70–85 °F |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Plant height / spread | 73–96 in |
| Growth habit | Upright/Erect |
| Spacing | 10 in between plants; 30 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | No-Support |
Starting Painted Mountain from seed
How to grow Painted Mountain Flour corn
Botanical identity: Zea mays L. Life cycle: Annual.
Sow 1 in and use a seed-zone temperature near 70–85 °F. Expected emergence: 7-10 Days. Direct sow after frost when the seed zone is warm; do not soak seed in cold or waterlogged soil
Plant during Late Spring. Space plants 10 in apart with 30 in between rows or planting bands.
Provide Full sun, moderate water, and loamy near pH 6.0–6.5. Support: No-Support.
Garden performance and care
Plant Painted Mountain in a block rather than one long row so wind-carried pollen reaches the silks. Keep the bed evenly watered from tasseling through ear fill, and protect mature ears from birds and mammals if seed saving. Expected emergence is 7-10 Days; the listed maturity or bloom timing is 80-89 Days.
Harvest, bloom, and uses
Painted Mountain is best for block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Harvest form or size: 6–7 in ears; 8 kernel rows. Color at the principal harvest or mature stage: Mixed. Soft starchy kernels that mill readily into fine meal or flour.
Saving seed
Seed saving for Painted Mountain Select several healthy, true-to-type plants so the saved lot represents the variety rather than one unusually early or large individual. Corn is wind-pollinated and highly outcrossing. Grow a substantial population in a block rather than one long row, and isolate the seed crop from other corn by distance, flowering time, or controlled pollination. Mark representative plants before pollen shed and remove clear off-types before they contribute pollen. For seed, leave ears until husks are brown and kernels are hard. Harvest before prolonged wet weather or animal loss, remove husks, and dry ears with strong air circulation until kernels cannot be dented with a fingernail. Shell, screen, and winnow only after full dry-down. Label the crop, cultivar, lot, year, field, population size, isolation method, selected plants, and any unusual ears. Store fully dry seed cool, dark, and protected from moisture and rodents. Test germination before an important planting.
Common problems
Painted Mountain can be affected by poor pollination, corn earworm, armyworms, stalk lodging, smut, leaf diseases, birds, and rodents. Plant in a block, maintain even moisture at tasseling and silking, use balanced fertility, rotate crops, and inspect ears before storage. Uneven kernel fill usually points to pollen or silk stress rather than a seed-count problem.
Frequently asked questions
When is Painted Mountain ready?
80-89 Days from direct sowing to dry seed or fully mature harvest
How long does germination take?
Expect 7-10 Days near 70–85 °F; actual emergence changes with moisture, seed condition, and soil temperature.
How large does it grow?
About 73–96 in with an upright/erect habit. Support: No-Support.
Can it grow in a container?
Best in an in-ground block large enough for dependable wind pollination; not recommended as a single container specimen.
How is it used?
Primary uses: block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Soft starchy kernels that mill readily into fine meal or flour.
Can I save seed?
Yes where the crop biology allows, but keep compatible varieties isolated, use several healthy plants, wait for full seed maturity, dry thoroughly, and label the lot.
Minimum Seed Count:20 seeds
