Yes. The popping characteristic is something that is selected for in breeding.
Corn is wind pollinated and crosses easily. Individual kernels can have totally different characteristics depending on the pollination source. Therefore, I recommend picking one type or finding isolated areas for each type. Nobody wants to bite into a popcorn when eating sweet corn. Multiple popcorn varieties could be safely planted together.
Popcorn and sweet corn are also harvested at different stages, though. Sweet corn is harvested at the milk stage before the shells harden. Popcorn shells harden far more at full ripeness, but they have a milk stage, too (itβs just not very sweet).
Makes sense, thank you very much.
Good point. I would be worried that different kernels would ripen at different rates based on the genetics of the kernel. Would some types of popcorn pass the milk stage while the sweet corn is still in that stage? I would like to hear from someone with experience. I've always isolated.
Varieties that flower at different times can also be a great way to plant multiple types close together.
I guess that you have a higher chance of random popcorns when developing a landrace with many types with different ripening times.
I have enough space and do not want to experiment in this space, so I'll isolate.
Also, popcorn kernels still in this milk state would dilute the sweetness of the sweet corn
