Propagation
For non-commercial use sow seeds in containers during early spring and place in a greenhouse until germination occurs.

Plant out once the last frost has passed and keep moist. Seeds can be sowen directly in situ during late spring in a prepared bed and space 300 mm (1 ft) apart.

Botanic information
Leaf: The large mid green broad lanceolate leaves are up to 1,200 mm (4 ft) long by 90 mm (3? in) wide with a long acuminate apex and have overlapping sheaths at the base. The upper surface is pubescent with parallel veins and a prominent mid-rib and the underside is glaborous. They are 8-15 leaves arranged alternately along each culm and appear from the nodes.

Flower: The tiny flowers are monoecious and appear at different places on the plant. The female inflorescence is enclosed in leaf-like ears and appears from the apex of axillary buds. They have a strong rachis (cob) with almost sessile spikelets in rows of 4-30 that form the caryopses (kernels). The ovary produces a long nodding style (silks) that extends past the husk to capture pollen by wind from the male flower (tassel). There can be up to 10 ears per plant and the flowers appear during summer.

Note:
When the plant produces tassels (the male flower) it has reached its maximum high and the roots have grown to their full-length. At this time the plant begins to shrink and diverts all stored energy into fruit production. Number of female flowers (ears) per plant is depended on nutrient availability and light competition from other plants.

Fruit: The fruit has up to 30 rows or more on a woody axis (cob) of fleshy seeds that are yellow, red or black. The seeds may be eaten raw or cooked and are normally sweet tasting.