I’d like to grow my own Orvil Spartydog popcorn. Can I go to the grocery store and buy a bag of microwave popcorn or a jar of popcorn, plant the kernels and grow my own? If not, why not.
According to a few random websites I found on google (for example: How to Grow Popcorn (with Pictures) - wikiHow) yes you can.
Back in the late 50’s (geezer here), I did plant one popcorn kernel in my back yard. IT GREW! It didn’t produce any corn (i.e., corn on cobs), but a girlfriend’s did. Worth experimenting with, just for the fun factor.
I’ve also heard that you can plant lentils, and they may sprout.
Good luck experimenting!
I had popcorn spill in the trunk of my car, and get damp. Some sprouted into long spindly things, other things just turned disgustingly soggy and mouldy.
Buy the bagged popcorn not microwave popcorn setting in lard.
One of the comments on the site posted by astro (I don’t really know if it is accurate, but I did wonder about the hybrid issue);
It’s not like the home grower is going to be prosecuted for growing it. There are many plants that have a patent that home owners divide or propagate every year. They do however check out commercial growers that sell plant material. One method is the grower pays a fee on every tag that they buy for the plant.
I myself would just buy the seed from a seed company, because I know I’m getting what variety I want. The seeds will be tested for germination rate and be guaranteed disease free.