can you dry corn on the cob for seeds to plant next season (grown, spring)

[newbiegardner86]

I would like to know if you can dry corn on the cob that I have grown and use the dried kernels for planting the next year, I have a wonderful new dehydrator and am hoping to plant from what I have harvested this year and use it for the next spring.

[Red On The Noodle]

I don't know about dehydrating it, but you can just let the kernels dry on the cob and then "shuck" them off and save for next year's seed.

Word of advice: If this is a hybrid type of corn, you may not get the same thing next year though.

[ReachTheBeach]

Second the advice; a lot of commercial seeds are pure crosses and the next generation won't be as uniform. For example, if they crossed cultivars that mature at different rates you might get some maturing earlier or later than you expect instead of all at pretty much the same time.

[arwenmark]

if it is a heritage variety you can. Hybrids, not so much.

[reneeh63]

Seed corn typically has to be specially dried to a certain moisture level so it doesn't germinate over the winter...not sure how you'd do that reliably to a certain level with a dehydrator. I guess you don't have much to lose except time.

[JimRom]

Originally Posted by reneeh63

Seed corn typically has to be specially dried to a certain moisture level so it doesn't germinate over the winter...not sure how you'd do that reliably to a certain level with a dehydrator. I guess you don't have much to lose except time.

The same way people have done it for centuries: Peel the husk back and hang the corn in a cool, dry, dark place for a couple of months. You can tell if it is dry enough by hitting a kernel with a hammer. If it smashes flat it needs to dry more. If it shatters, it's ready to plant.