Hi - mine isn't ready yet, but I cut it when the seed heads are fully developed (and sometimes I even let them grow longer to get a fuller/wispy look). They keep forever - at least the seed heads do...I don't generally use the stocks much. I hope I'll have some by the end of the month...but everything is 3 weeks late this year and I planted it late!
Good luck,
Wendy

I've already been cutting mine! Ths is my first year with them, so I guess I didn't know any better, lol.

I don't have a lot (will definitely grow more next year!) but I have cut a few stems already. Granted, the seed heads weren't fully developed, as Wendy described, but they were enough to attract attention in a bouquet, especially with that great foliage.

:)
Dee

Hi flowers4u, how do you know when they are ready? Alot of mine have what looks like seed on them. Does that mean they ARE ready? I Hate to be so dumb about these things,but I never raised them before. Thanks to you both ....

Hi -
Check the pictures in your seed catalogs. I'll add a link to one variety in Johnny's...but they should be very tall (over 6') and have lots of seeds.

Wendy

Here is a link that might be useful: Broom corn picture

Mine are WELL over 6ft. More like 10-12. Even some of my Indian corn was about that. And some grow out of the tip of the husk it got so long. I even have some that are about 4 inches wide. I never seen the like in all the yrs I been growing it....Thanks for the link. I shop Johnny seeds to...I really like their stuff...

Wendy, that red broom corn is very nice. I grew Hungarian broom corn, and the tops/seeds are yellowish, although the packet says it "takes on a reddish color". (The package shows a yellowish seed top.) Maybe I did cut it too early, lol! I'm going to have to try the red.

leveta - 10 to 12 feet high? I'd say the time to cut it is when you can still reach it, lol!

:)
Dee

Dee i'm tellin ya, some things have went wild this yr. My niece took a pic of me in a patch of the indian corn. My mom said I look like a midget. I will have to bend it over to cut it.