Why Did My Broom Corn Grow Tall but Stay Mostly Green?

Question:

I bought some of your mixed broom corn this spring and planted it for cut flower arrangements. The corn has grown extremely tall and the shape is as expected but the color is a little underwhelming. It’s mostly a light green with a hint of red. I was wondering if there was something that I could do in the future to enhance the colors. Is there timing involved? Soil conditions or anything else that I haven’t considered? Thanks and have a great day

Answer:

Thank you for your email. Glad to hear the plants grew well. Variations in results and color, flavor, etc. with plants, due to environmental conditions can be disappointing. Here are some thoughts and tips that we hope prove helpful:

It’s a common experience for gardeners to find that the colors of their broom corn don’t quite match the vibrant hues they were expecting. The good news is that there are several factors you can influence to get more intense and varied colors in the future.

Timing of Harvest:

This is one of the most significant factors. The colors of broom corn, especially the reds, browns, and blacks, develop as the plant matures.  For the most intense and deep colors: You’ll want to delay your harvest until the seed heads have fully matured. The seeds will become heavier and shiny, and the colors will deepen.

• For a wider spectrum of colors: Harvest at different stages of development. Cutting some seed heads when the seeds are just forming will give you lighter shades, while waiting until they are fully developed will provide richer tones. You can create a beautiful range of colors from a single plant by doing a staggered harvest.
• A note on harvest conditions: It’s best to harvest on a dry day. After harvesting, hang the stalks in a dry, well-ventilated area to cure and preserve the colors.

Genetics:

Mixed broom corn seed often produces a wide range of colors, but some plants naturally lean more toward pale greens and tans. If you want deeper reds or purples, you may want to save seed from the most vibrant stalks this year and replant those next season. Over a few years, this selection process can shift your stand toward stronger colors.

Soil and Growing Conditions:

• While broom corn is generally an easy-to-grow plant, the right soil and growing conditions can certainly impact its health and, by extension, its color.
•     Nutrient-rich soil: Broom corn performs best in well-drained, rich soil. Adding compost or manure in the fall before planting can improve soil fertility.
• Nitrogen: A high-nitrogen fertilizer applied a few weeks after planting can promote healthy, vigorous growth, which is a prerequisite for good color development.
• Sunlight: Broom corn needs full sun to thrive. The more sun it receives, the more energy it has to produce the pigments that give it color.

Sunlight:

Full sun tends to enhance coloration. Broom corn grown in partial shade or crowded plantings often stays lighter. Wider spacing and a location with all-day sun helps boost pigment.

Weather Conditions:

Cool nights and bright days often intensify reds and purples in plants. If your season was unusually warm and consistent, the pigments may not have developed as strongly. There isn’t much you can do about weather, but planting so that broom corn matures into cooler late-summer or early-fall nights may improve tones.

A Few Other Considerations:

•     Pest and disease stress: A healthy plant is a colorful plant. Keeping your broom corn free from pests and diseases will allow it to focus its energy on growth and color development.
•     Drying conditions: How you dry your broom corn after harvest can also affect the final color. Drying the stalks in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space will help to preserve the vibrant hues and prevent fading that can occur in direct sunlight.

In summary, for next year, focus on providing a good growing environment and, most importantly, experiment with the timing of your harvest. By cutting some of the stalks early and waiting for others to fully mature, you’ll likely achieve a much more dramatic and varied display of colors for your cut flower arrangements.

We hope this helps! Thank you for your patronage and support. God bless!