Flint Corn, Otto File
Product Description: (Zea mays) An ancient First Nations flint corn driven to extinction in the land it first called home, but not before becoming a prized kitchen staple of Italy’s working class. For culinary purists, Otto File is perhaps the only flint corn capable of producing a truly authentic Italian polenta, for it was this variety from which the modern rendition of the dish was first created. High levels of nutritious antioxidant carotenoids give this variety its distinctive golden-orange hue and rich buttery flavor. Open-pollinated. 75 seeds per packet.
Growing Information: Direct seed in full sun after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds 5 cm (2 inches) deep and 25 cm (10 inches) apart in rows 60 cm (2 feet) apart. Or plant as many indigenous people did, in tight clusters of 4-5 plants, separated from each other by about 1 meter (3 feet).
Once the husks are thoroughly dry and the kernels can no longer be dented with your fingernail, the ears are ready for harvest. Store in a cool, dry place to continue drying until the kernels can be easily removed from the cob, like loose teeth. 125 days to maturity.
Seed Saving: Saving grain seeds is incredibly simple in the sense that your final product is the seed! Once dried throughly, no additional effort is required. Simply store the seeds in a cool, dry location until you are ready to plant again.
Germination Rate: 94%
Product Description: (Zea mays) An ancient First Nations flint corn driven to extinction in the land it first called home, but not before becoming a prized kitchen staple of Italy’s working class. For culinary purists, Otto File is perhaps the only flint corn capable of producing a truly authentic Italian polenta, for it was this variety from which the modern rendition of the dish was first created. High levels of nutritious antioxidant carotenoids give this variety its distinctive golden-orange hue and rich buttery flavor. Open-pollinated. 75 seeds per packet.
Growing Information: Direct seed in full sun after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds 5 cm (2 inches) deep and 25 cm (10 inches) apart in rows 60 cm (2 feet) apart. Or plant as many indigenous people did, in tight clusters of 4-5 plants, separated from each other by about 1 meter (3 feet).
Once the husks are thoroughly dry and the kernels can no longer be dented with your fingernail, the ears are ready for harvest. Store in a cool, dry place to continue drying until the kernels can be easily removed from the cob, like loose teeth. 125 days to maturity.
Seed Saving: Saving grain seeds is incredibly simple in the sense that your final product is the seed! Once dried throughly, no additional effort is required. Simply store the seeds in a cool, dry location until you are ready to plant again.
Germination Rate: 94%
Product Description: (Zea mays) An ancient First Nations flint corn driven to extinction in the land it first called home, but not before becoming a prized kitchen staple of Italy’s working class. For culinary purists, Otto File is perhaps the only flint corn capable of producing a truly authentic Italian polenta, for it was this variety from which the modern rendition of the dish was first created. High levels of nutritious antioxidant carotenoids give this variety its distinctive golden-orange hue and rich buttery flavor. Open-pollinated. 75 seeds per packet.
Growing Information: Direct seed in full sun after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds 5 cm (2 inches) deep and 25 cm (10 inches) apart in rows 60 cm (2 feet) apart. Or plant as many indigenous people did, in tight clusters of 4-5 plants, separated from each other by about 1 meter (3 feet).
Once the husks are thoroughly dry and the kernels can no longer be dented with your fingernail, the ears are ready for harvest. Store in a cool, dry place to continue drying until the kernels can be easily removed from the cob, like loose teeth. 125 days to maturity.
Seed Saving: Saving grain seeds is incredibly simple in the sense that your final product is the seed! Once dried throughly, no additional effort is required. Simply store the seeds in a cool, dry location until you are ready to plant again.
Germination Rate: 94%
