# Can grocery store popcorn be used for seed. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 10, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900 "2009-08-10T01:46:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900/1 "2009-08-10T01:46:49Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![badlyburnttoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ad7895/32.png) [@badlyburnttoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badlyburnttoast)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900/2 "2009-08-10T02:25:13Z")
According to a few random websites I found on google (for example: [How to Grow Popcorn (with Pictures) - wikiHow](http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Popcorn)) yes you can. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900/3 "2009-08-10T05:44:37Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900/4 "2009-08-10T08:37:57Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900/5 "2009-08-10T09:24:33Z")
[Yes.](http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/896791/how_to_grow_popcorn_in_the_home_garden.html?cat=32) ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900/6 "2009-08-10T15:37:45Z")
Buy the bagged popcorn not microwave popcorn setting in lard. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900/7 "2009-08-10T19:36:16Z")
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); > [@](#): > > A couple of issues about the recommendations here: Growing popcorn from the store is a very low-percentage activity. First, many store-bought popcorn is processed prior to eating in such a way that it renders the endosperm unviable. Second, almost all commercial popcorn is hybrid, which means that its seeds do not produce true. The “popcorn” you end up with even if you get it to germinate, it will be nothing like the popcorn from the store. And if the original popcorn was a Monsanto product, it is illegal to grow the seed. It’s best to buy certified seed from a seed merchant. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-grocery-store-popcorn-be-used-for-seed/505900/8 "2009-08-10T20:20:14Z")
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.