tough mini pops

[Mrs Ava]

During our 2 weeks away, some of our baby sweetcorns 'mini pops' have gone over and we now have 5 cobs with properly developed kernels.  I tried cooking one of the cobs, but even after a good 30mins, the kernels were still tough and very very starchy.  Rather than throw them on the compost heap, wondered if anyone knows, would the birds eat them?  Should I string them and hang them from my tree where I have my feeder?  Thanks in advance. ;D

[Mrs Ava]

[valmarg]

I doubt if the local wild bird population will be interested in the corns, but if you know someone who keeps chickens, they will be more than delighted with them.

valmarg

[valmarg]

To go off at a bit of a tangent, I have grown minipops for the first time this year.  I understand that you harvest the corns when the tassels start to show.  The plants are now getting on for six feet tall.  The male pollen bearing shoots are starting to appear from the top of the plants, but no sign whatsoever of a tassel.

Whilst I accept that they are structurally decorative plants, I should be interested to know whether there is any possibility of getting a crop from them!

valmarg

[saddad]

The Male flowers at the top come first.. the females should be along any moment now... check regularly or you will be producing just Chicken feed!
;D

[Mrs Ava]

Hmmm, don't know anyone with chooks.....not personally.  Oh well, on the compost they will go!  ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

Do you know anyone with a pet rodent?

[valmarg]

Thanks saddad, I'll keep my eye on things.

On second thoughts EJ, the wild birds that would be attracted to the corns are pidgeons (wood in particular).  Not the sort of thing to be encouraged!!!

valmarg

[Merry Tiller]

They make decent popping corn

[Mrs Ava]

Robert, you hit the hamster right on the head!  I had just bunged them in the compost bucket to go up to the plot next visit, when I realised I had recently paid a couple of quid for some dry corns, not disimilar to these, for the hamsters whilst we were away on our hols!  So, they are now in the garden drying out a bit so the hammies can have a treat when we get them back from the inlaws at the weekend!

And MT, really?  I assume they need to be very very dry before bunging them in the micro?

No Valmarg, we have enough pigeons flapping around without encouraging more!

[Merry Tiller]

I assume they need to be very very dry before bunging them in the micro?

yup