How to Grow Cabaret Bi-Color Corn
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Cabaret Bi-Color Corn
Zea mays
vegetableCabaret is a stunning bi-color sweet corn variety that produces ears with a striking combination of yellow and white kernels. This mid-season variety is known for its excellent sweet flavor, tender texture, and vibrant appearance that makes it visually appealing for fresh eating and farmers' markets. The plants typically reach 6-7 feet tall and are relatively disease-resistant.
When should you plant Cabaret Bi-Color Corn in your zone?
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Example Cabaret Bi-Color Corn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cabaret Bi-Color Corn
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Cabaret Bi-Color Corn
Around Jun 29≈ 73 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cabaret Bi-Color Corn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; can grow in zone 2 with careful timing
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Germination & Emergence
7-10 days to emergence, 10-14 days to proper seedling stageSeeds sprout and seedlings emerge from soil; first leaves (cotyledons) unfurl and plant reaches 2-3 inches tall
Ensure soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged; protect from birds and cutworms with row covers if needed; thin to proper spacing once plants have 3-4 true leaves
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops 8-12 leaves; strong root system establishes; plant reaches 12-24 inches tall; side shoots (tillers) may develop
Begin regular watering schedule (1-1.5 inches per week); apply balanced fertilizer when plants are 4-6 inches tall; remove any tillers to direct energy to main stalk; monitor for early pests
Tasseling & Silking
2-3 weeksMale flowers (tassel) emerge at top of stalk; female flowers (silks) begin to develop at ear nodes; plant reaches full height (6-7 feet); silks emerge and begin elongating
Maintain consistent, deep watering (critical stage); apply side dressing of nitrogen fertilizer; avoid walking between rows to prevent pollen damage; silks may be up to 2 inches long at this stage
Pollination & Kernel Development
2-3 weeksPollen from tassel fertilizes silks; kernels begin filling and developing on ears; silks darken and dry slightly; ears plump and kernels become milk-filled
Ensure adequate water during this critical period; pollen viability decreases in hot, dry conditions; monitor for aphids and corn earworm moths; silks should be fully extended for complete ear fill
Maturity & Harvest Readiness
3-5 days (peak harvest window is narrow)Kernels fill completely with a creamy, milky substance when punctured; silks brown and dry; ears feel full and firm; kernels develop the characteristic bi-color pattern
Check for milk stage by piercing a kernel with a fingernail; harvest when silks are brown and dry but husks still green; pick ears when kernels yield milky juice (avoid hard, starchy kernels); use immediately after harvest for best flavor
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Apply BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray when silks first appear and repeat every 3-5 days; use pheromone traps to monitor; plant resistant varieties; hand-pick affected ears
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Remove and destroy plant debris after harvest; use BT spray; plant trap crops like marigolds; ensure good air circulation
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
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Apply BT spray; hand-pick caterpillars; use pheromone traps; maintain weed-free margins to reduce shelter
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Spray with water; apply neem oil or sulfur dust in dry conditions; ensure adequate irrigation (dry stress promotes mites)
Uses
Fresh sweet corn for eating
CulinaryCabaret's tender kernels and excellent sweetness make it ideal for fresh eating raw, steamed, boiled, or grilled. The striking bi-color appearance adds visual appeal to table presentations and farmers' market displays. [source]
Corn salads and side dishes
CulinaryFresh kernels work beautifully in salads, salsas, succotash, and cornbread. The sweet flavor complements both light salads and hearty dishes. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinaryBlanch and freeze kernels at peak ripeness to preserve the sweetness and texture. Can also be canned or dried for winter storage. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
HouseholdThe attractive bi-color ears and their vibrant husks make Cabaret corn an interesting decorative element for fall floral arrangements and harvest displays. [source]
Wildlife food source
WildlifeMature corn left standing or shattered kernels provide important food for birds and small mammals in late season; also attracts pollinators during flowering. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks have turned brown and dried, typically 20-25 days after silk emergence. Test for milk stage by pressing a kernel with your fingernail—it should release a milky liquid. Ears should feel full and plump. Twist and pull the ear firmly downward at a slight angle. Harvest in early morning for best sweetness and texture. Use immediately or refrigerate promptly; sweetness degrades rapidly after picking. Peak harvest window is typically 4-8 days; stagger plantings 2-3 weeks apart for continuous harvest.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The bi-color pattern in Cabaret corn results from a genetic interaction between yellow and white kernel pigments. This striking appearance was deliberately bred into the variety to create market appeal while maintaining exceptional sweetness.
- 🌱 Sweet corn is picked at a much earlier stage (milk stage) than field corn. If Cabaret corn is left to fully mature, the kernels will become starchy and lose their sweet flavor, demonstrating why harvest timing is critical.
- 🌱 Corn silk is edible and can be brewed as a tea with potential health benefits; historically, corn silk has been used in traditional medicine for its diuretic properties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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