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Heirloom

Argentine Cateto Orange Flint Corn

Quick Facts:

  • South American heirloom
  • Glossy, orange kernels
  • High carotenoid content
  • Used for grinding & distilling
  • 100 days to harvest

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Quantity: Packet (50 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Argentine Cateto Orange Flint Corn

More about Argentine Cateto Orange

Zea mays

Argentine Cateto Orange is an heirloom variety of flint corn with roots dating back to at least the 15th century.  With its glossy, orange kernels, this widely adapted heirloom is a worthy representative of the Argentine class of flint corns, which are known for their high-carotenoid content and hard, flinty kernels.  Such varieties, known commonly as Cateto flints or Argentino flints, have for centuries been regarded as high-quality grinding corns for use in making cornmeal and grits.  Even today, these important heirlooms are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, fueled by a demand for higher-nutrient food.

Beyond their use for grinding, orange-colored corns like Argentine Cateto are gaining a whole ne... More

Less

Zea mays

Argentine Cateto Orange is an heirloom variety of flint corn with roots dating back to at least the 15th century.  With its glossy, orange kernels, this widely adapted heirloom is a worthy representative of the Argentine class of flint corns, which are known for their high-carotenoid content and hard, flinty kernels.  Such varieties, known commonly as Cateto flints or Argentino flints, have for centuries been regarded as high-quality grinding corns for use in making cornmeal and grits.  Even today, these important heirlooms are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, fueled by a demand for higher-nutrient food.

Beyond their use for grinding, orange-colored corns like Argentine Cateto are gaining a whole new following as craft distillers take note of their high carotenoid content.  Carotenoids, a naturally occurring class of pigments found in plants, break down into terpene ketones (known to distillers as an 'ionones') during fermentation, imparting a rose color and floral, fruity, or hay-like aromas, depending on the particular iso-forms present in the mash.  In this way, heirloom corns like Orange Cateto afford craft distillers the ability to create distinctly flavored whiskeys and bourbons, as their vast genetic diversity leads to dramatic variation in the types and quantities of natural compounds present in the barrel.

In our trials, Argentine Cateto Orange held up well to drought, heat and even extreme wind events.  The plants grew approximately seven to eight feet in height, producing one to two ears each.  The ears were well-formed, 14-16 rows around, with densely packed, dark orange kernels.  No disease or other issues were noted.  Argentine Cateto matures approximately 100 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Zea mays

Argentine Cateto Orange is an heirloom variety of flint corn with roots dating back to at least the 15th century.  With its glossy, orange kernels, this widely adapted heirloom is a worthy representative of the Argentine class of flint corns, which are known for their high-carotenoid content and hard, flinty kernels.  Such varieties, known commonly as Cateto flints or Argentino flints, have for centuries been regarded as high-quality grinding corns for use in makin... read more

read less

Zea mays

Argentine Cateto Orange is an heirloom variety of flint corn with roots dating back to at least the 15th century.  With its glossy, orange kernels, this widely adapted heirloom is a worthy representative of the Argentine class of flint corns, which are known for their high-carotenoid content and hard, flinty kernels.  Such varieties, known commonly as Cateto flints or Argentino flints, have for centuries been regarded as high-quality grinding corns for use in making cornmeal and grits.  Even today, these important heirlooms are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, fueled by a demand for higher-nutrient food.

Beyond their use for grinding, orange-colored corns like Argentine Cateto are gaining a whole new following as craft distillers take note of their high carotenoid content.  Carotenoids, a naturally occurring class of pigments found in plants, break down into terpene ketones (known to distillers as an 'ionones') during fermentation, imparting a rose color and floral, fruity, or hay-like aromas, depending on the particular iso-forms present in the mash.  In this way, heirloom corns like Orange Cateto afford craft distillers the ability to create distinctly flavored whiskeys and bourbons, as their vast genetic diversity leads to dramatic variation in the types and quantities of natural compounds present in the barrel.

In our trials, Argentine Cateto Orange held up well to drought, heat and even extreme wind events.  The plants grew approximately seven to eight feet in height, producing one to two ears each.  The ears were well-formed, 14-16 rows around, with densely packed, dark orange kernels.  No disease or other issues were noted.  Argentine Cateto matures approximately 100 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Boy holding slice of watermelon
Kids eating watermelon

How to Grow Corn

Corn performs best in soil that is well-drained, but also able to hold onto some moisture, as corn tends to use quite a bit of water during its active growth phase.  Working in a healthy dose of well-composted manure in the fall will ensure that the rapidly growing plants receive adequate water and nutrition. 

After danger of frost has passed and soil temps have reached 55 degrees, sow seeds 9-12" apart, 1" deep, in rows 24-36" apart.  To maximize pollination use a paired row or square plot configuration.  Under ideal conditions, germination will occur in 7-10 days.

Not recommended

Insect Pests

Biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis can be effecting in controlling common corn pests like corn borer and earworm.  Aphids, Japanese beetles, and other hard-shelled insects can be controlled with a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution.

Diseases & Other Problems

Corn is susceptible to a number of plant diseases.  Consult your local extension office to learn which diseases are most prevalent in your region. Crop rotation, tillage, and removal of plant debris are all effective tools in managing common corn diseases.

Sweet corn is ready to harvest approximately 21 days after pollination. At peak, the kernel tips should be rounded and glossy. Shelling corn can be harvested once the husks have dried and the kernels have sufficiently hardened.  To test for maturity, pull back the husk and remove a kernel from the ear.  If the tip at the base of the kernel breaks off to reveal a brown "abscission" layer, the ears are ready to harvest.

CONSIDERATIONS:

To maintain genetic diversity, save seed from at least 50 to 100 plants.  If open-pollinated, plants should be isolated from other corn varieties by at least 1/4 mile.  Otherwise, hand-pollination can be performed.

HARVESTING SEED:

Wait until ears have reached full maturity and the kernels cannot be pierced by your fingernail. Peel back the husk and harvest the ear by pulling down and twisting. Place in a mesh bag or basket and allow to continue to dry for two weeks. Shell ears using a manual corn shelling tool or tightly grip a gloved hand around the ear and twist to separate the kernels from the cob. Winnow to remove any chaff and store in an airtight container until ready to use.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Corn seeds will maintain 50% viability for three years when stored in a cool, dark place.

Hand pollinating corn

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