Variety field guide
What to expect from Montana Morado Flour corn Seeds
Montana Morado Flour corn seeds grow into upright/erect plants reaching 61–72 in and producing long slender ears; 8 kernel rows. The purple 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
Montana Morado Flour corn seeds grow into upright/erect plants reaching 61–72 in and producing long slender ears; 8 kernel rows. The purple kernels are suited to block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Montana Morado Maize Corn Seeds produce short-season and stunningly dark purple, Montana Morado Maize grinds into richly flavored, antioxidant-packed flour for unforgettable cornbread, tortillas, and more.
About Montana Morado
Montana Morado is an annual flour corn with purple color, 61–72 in mature height or spread, and an upright/erect habit. Harvest form or size: Long slender ears; 8 kernel rows. Botanically it is Zea mays L. Maturity or first bloom: 90-99 Days; germination: 7-10 Days at 70–85 °F. Best for block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Montana Morado Maize brings together the resilience of Northern-adapted corn with the striking color and flavor many growers associate with purple maize.
History and provenance
The breeder-maintainer record documents the cultivar identity, development, current seed stewardship, plant height, ear form, kernel color, and maturity range. The exact identity of the seed lot remains tied to its supplier and lot records, so no additional lineage is assigned beyond the cited record. Growers saving seed should keep the original packet, source, year, and selection notes with the lot. Montana Morado Maize is a deep purple flour corn bred for short seasons and tough conditions in the northern Plains and Rockies. Developed by corn breeder Dave Christensen in Montana, with selections made near Big Timber, this variety was created from Mandan and other Northern-adapted corns, along with additional purple Southwestern flour types chosen for rich aleurone and pericarp color. Ears are long and narrow, packed with dark purple kernels high in anthocyanins and excellent for nutrient-dense flour. In the kitchen, the soft flour starch grinds easily for cornbread, tortillas, and other baked goods, and can also be used to make richly colored beverages inspired by traditional purple corn drinks. Public breeder or accession records do not fully document the exact strain sold as Montana Morado. The supplied name and observable traits are retained without adding an unsupported lineage.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Zea mays L. |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / first bloom | 90-99 Days |
| Germination | 7-10 Days at 70–85 °F |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Plant height / spread | 61–72 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 Montana Morado from seed
How to grow Montana Morado 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 Montana Morado 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 90-99 Days.
Harvest, bloom, and uses
Montana Morado is best for block planting, dependable pollination, dry or fresh harvest, and seed saving. Harvest form or size: Long slender ears; 8 kernel rows. Color at the principal harvest or mature stage: Purple. Montana Morado Maize brings together the resilience of Northern-adapted corn with the striking color and flavor many growers associate with purple maize.
Saving seed
Seed saving for Montana Morado 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
Montana Morado 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 Montana Morado ready?
90-99 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 61–72 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. Montana Morado Maize brings together the resilience of Northern-adapted corn with the striking color and flavor many growers associate with purple maize.
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
