Julie Gerano, 51, of Kiski Township, is now eyeing a Guinness World Record after discovering that a cornstalk in her backyard flower bed has produced 31 ears of corn. Initially disregarded, the stalk has now surpassed the previous record of 29 ears, set by Matthew Jacovelli of Deptford, N.J., in August 2019.
Gerano, who had not intentionally planted corn, speculates that the stalk’s seeds may have come from an animal that frequented her husband’s corn feeder. “I noticed the growth in June and decided to let it continue for fun,” Gerano explained. Despite her green thumb, Gerano had never previously grown corn, and the unusual growth has baffled her.
In consultation with the Penn State Association of Conservation Districts in Armstrong County, Gerano learned that such prolific growth in an unconventional setting is rare. The association suggested that the dry summer conditions might have prompted the corn to produce more ears as it perceived the end of the growing season.
Gerano submitted her record application to Guinness World Records on August 29, prompted by her husband’s co-worker who suggested the possibility of a world record. Kylie Galloway, a senior press relations executive at Guinness World Records North America, noted that the review process could take 12 to 15 weeks and requires adherence to specific guidelines.
In the meantime, Gerano has ensured that the stalk remains untouched. Her daughter, Annabelle Casella, 21, became interested in the project after her grandmother highlighted the rarity of the corn’s growth. As the stalk continued to grow, local farmers and community members took notice, fueling the family’s excitement.
What began as a casual gardening experiment has transformed into a passionate project for Gerano and her family. “It started as a fun activity, and now it has become something more significant,” Gerano said.
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