About this variety
What to expect from Magic Manna Corn Seeds
Early multicolor flour corn bred by Carol Deppe for organic systems and varied cooking uses.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Magic Manna: Early multicolor flour corn bred by Carol Deppe for organic systems and varied cooking uses.
About this variety
Magic Manna is an early flour corn bred by Carol Deppe from Painted Mountain. The Open Source Seed Initiative documents 85 day maturity, 5 foot plants, 8 inch ears with 8 to 12 rows, and ears in red-pink, brown-tan, or white-peach color groups.
Growing
Direct 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.
Harvest and use
Leave ears until husks are dry and kernels are hard. Cure under cover, shell and sort by color if desired, and mill the fully dried kernels for flour used in breads, pancakes, cakes, parching, or other documented cooking applications.
Saving seed
For 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.





