List of corn varieties
Encyclopedia
This is a list of the most commonly cultivated varieties of sweet corn, and the approximate number of days from germination
of corn plant to harvest
. Unless otherwise noted with the term open pollinated, all varieties are hybrids.
intended for livestock. Tends to be hardier in respect to planting depth, germination and growth than other types. Begins conversion of sugar to starch after peak maturity or harvest, and as such is best when harvested and eaten immediately.
The augmented supersweet varieties have tender kernels like the se varieties. Therefore mechanical picking is not recommended.
As with other supersweets, these varieties must be isolated from su, se and sy types pollinating at the same to prevent starchy kernels.
Germination
Germination is the process in which a plant or fungus emerges from a seed or spore, respectively, and begins growth. The most common example of germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm. However the growth of a sporeling from a spore, for example the...
of corn plant to harvest
Harvest
Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper...
. Unless otherwise noted with the term open pollinated, all varieties are hybrids.
Standard (su)
The oldest type of sweet corn, which contains more sugar and less starch than field cornField corn
Field corn is maize of varieties that are not, in the United States, grown primarily for consumption as human food in the form of fresh kernels. More than 98% of corn-growing land in the U.S...
intended for livestock. Tends to be hardier in respect to planting depth, germination and growth than other types. Begins conversion of sugar to starch after peak maturity or harvest, and as such is best when harvested and eaten immediately.
Yellow su
- Earlivee, 60 days
- Early Sunglow, 62 days
- Seneca Horizon, 65 days
- Sundance, 69 days
- Golden Bantam 8 row, 80 days (heirloomHeirloom plantAn heirloom plant, heirloom variety, or heirloom vegetable is a cultivar that was commonly grown during earlier periods in human history, but which is not used in modern large-scale agriculture...
, open pollinated. Introduced in 1902, this became the first widely grown yellow variety. A number of "improved" strains exist with more than 8 rows of kernels on the ear.) - Iochief, 80 days, 1951 AASAll-America SelectionsThe mission of All-America Selections is “to promote new garden seed varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America.” To accomplish this, the All-America Selections organization oversees a collaborative testing program involving horticulture professionals...
winner - Jubilee, 82 days
- Golden Cross Bantam, 85 days (Introduced in 1933, this became the first widely grown hybrid sweet corn for both home gardens and commercial growers.)
White su
- Country Gentleman, 92 days (heirloom, shoepegShoepeg cornShoepeg corn is a cultivar of white sweetcorn valued for its sweetness. It is characterized by small, narrow kernels tightly and unevenly packed on the cob. The corn has a sweet, mild flavor. The only variety of shoepeg corn available today is Country Gentleman.Shoepeg corn is popular in some...
type, open pollinated) - Silver Queen, 92 days
- Stowell's Evergreen, 98 days (heirloom, open pollinated. In northern climates or higher altitudes, this variety may not reach full maturity in the growing season. However, before the killing frost entire stalks may be harvested, including the partially mature ears, and hung in a barn or shed. Ears may then be picked for a month or more, hence the name evergreen.)
Bicolor su
- Sugar & Gold, 67 days
- Quickie, 68 days
- Double Standard, 73 days (open pollinated)
- Butter & Sugar, 75 days
- Honey Cream, 80 days (open pollinated)
- Honey & Cream, 80 days
- Sugar Dots, 81 days
Sugary Extender (se)
Contains even more sugars in relation to starch than su types, and as such is able to retain sweetness for 2 to 4 days with proper refrigerated handling. Somewhat less hardy than su types. Is known as a "tender" kernel and as such does not lend itself to mechanical handling. Does not require isolation from su pollen, although it is preferred. Some seed catalogs don't distinguish the heterozygous se (one se parent) and homozygous se (two se parent) varieties, but if they do, the homozygous se varieties will be labeled either (se+) or (se se).Yellow se
- Precocious, 66 days
- Spring Treat, 67 days
- Maple Sweet, 70 days
- Sugar Buns, 72 days
- Bodacious, 72 days
- Colorow, 73 days
- Tuxedo, 75 days
- Incredible, 83 days
- Merlin, 84 days
- Miracle, 84 days
- Kandy Korn, 89 days
White se
- Spring Snow, 65 days
- Sugar Snow, 71 days
- Cotton Candy, 72 days
- Sugar Pearl, 73 days
- Whiteout, 73 days
- Medley, 73 days
- Pristine, 76 days
- Cloud Nine, 77 days
- Avalanche, 78 days
- Divinity, 78 days
- Alpine, 79 days
- Denali, 80 days
- Lancelot, 80 days
- Silver King, 82 days. Se version of Silver Queen.
- Argent, 86 days
Bicolor se
- Seneca Arrowhead, 62 days
- Seneca Spring, 66 days
- Fleet, 69 days (Quickie type)
- Bon Jour, 70 days
- Trinity, 70 days
- Bi-Licious, 72 days
- Temptation, 72 days
- Luscious, 73 days
- Ambrosia, 75 days
- Accord, 78 days
- Brocade, 80 days
- Precious Gem, 80 days
- Absolute, 81 days
- Delectable, 82 days
- Peaches and Cream Mid EH, 83 days
- Double Delight, 85 days
- Seneca Dancer, 89 days
Supersweet (sh2)
Supersweet or shrunken-2 types have four to ten times the sugar content of normal sugar (su) types and with proper handling is able to be stored for up to 10 days. Less hardy than even se types, requiring higher germination temperatures, precise planting depth and isolation from all other corn pollen for optimum results. The name derives from the shrunken, shriveled appearance of the dried kernel which is low in starch.Yellow sh2
- Extra Early Super Sweet, 67 days
- Early Xtra Sweet, 70 days, 1971 AAS winner
- Ravelin, 72 days
- Krispy King, 78 days
- Garrison, 79 days
- Illini Gold, 79 days
- Challenger, 80 days
- Passion, 81 days
- Excel, 82 days
- Showcase, 83 days
- Illini Xtra Sweet, 85 days
- Crisp ‘N Sweet, 85 days
- Jubilee SuperSweet, 87 days
White sh2
- Tahoe, 81 days
- Aspen, 83 days
- Treasure, 83 days
- How Sweet It Is, 85 days, 1986 AAS winner
- Pegasus, 85 days
- Camelot, 86 days
Bicolor sh2
- Northern Xtra Sweet Bicolor, 67 days
- Radiance, 73 days
- Honey ‘N Pearl, 78 days, 1988 AAS winner
- Aloha, 82 days
- Dazzle, 82 days
- Hudson, 83 days
- Phenomenal, 85 days
Synergistic (sy)
Synergistic varieties combine differing genetics on the same ear. Some varieties have 25% sh2, 25% se and 50% su kernels on the cob but each type varies. There is an increasing number of brand names and trademarks that cover specific genetic combinations under this general type. However, a common trait of all sy types is that isolation from other su and se varieties pollinating at the same time is not required to prevent starchy kernels, though isolation may still be recommended for maximum sweetness.White sy
- Cinderella, 80 days
- Mattapoisett, 80 days
- Avalon, 82 days (White version of Providence)
- Captivate 88 days
Bicolor sy
- Frisky, 67 days (Fleet type)
- Polka, 69 days (Trinity type)
- Revelation, 70 days
- Renaissance, 73 days
- Charisma, 74 days
- Synergy, 76 days
- Montauk, 80 days (Delectable type)
- Kristine, 80 days (Cinderella type)
- Serendipity/Providence, 82 days
- Cameo, 82 days (Delectable type)
Augmented Supersweet
Varieties of the augmented supersweet type combine multiple gene types on top of sh2. These varieties have 100% of the kernels containing the sh2 gene, but also have se and su genes in some portion of the kernels. The Mirai varieties for example have sh2, se and su genes in all kernels.The augmented supersweet varieties have tender kernels like the se varieties. Therefore mechanical picking is not recommended.
As with other supersweets, these varieties must be isolated from su, se and sy types pollinating at the same to prevent starchy kernels.
Yellow
- Mirai 131Y, 71 days
- Mirai 130Y, 72 days
- Xtra-Tender 173A, 73 days
- Vision, 75 days
- Mirai 002, 76 days
- Xtra Tender 1178, 78 days
White
- Mirai 421, 71 days
- Xtra-Tender 372A, 72 days
- XTH 3673, 74 days
- Xtra-Tender 3175, 75 days
- Xtra-Tender 378A, 80 days
- Devotion, 82 days
- Xtra-Tender 382A, 82 days
Bicolor
- Xtra-Tender 270A, 70 days
- Mirai 308BC, 71 days
- Xtra-Tender 272A, 72 days
- Fantastic, 73 days
- Mirai 336 BC, 73 days
- Xtra-Tender 2170, 73 days
- Xtra-Tender 2573, 74 days
- Xtra-Tender 274A, 74 days
- Triumph, 75 days
- Xtra-Tender 275A, 75 days
- Mirai 301BC, 76 days
- Stellar, 76 days
- Xtra-Tender 277A, 77 days
- Mirai 350BC, 78 days
- Xtra-Tender 278A, 78 days
- Obsession, 79 days
- Xtra-Tender 282A, 82 days