Cotton Seed Placement – How To Plant A Cotton Seed
Cotton plants have flowers that resemble hibiscus and seed pods that you can use in dried arrangements. Your neighbors will ask about this attractive and unique garden plant, and they won’t believe it when you tell them what you’re growing. Find out how to sow cotton seeds in this article.
Cotton Seed Planting
Before you begin, you should know that it is illegal to grow cotton in your garden if you live in a state where it’s grown commercially. That’s because of the boll weevil eradication programs, which require the growers to use traps that the programs monitor. The eradication zone runs from Virginia to Texas and as far west as Missouri. Call your Cooperative Extension Service if you aren’t sure whether you are in the zone.
Cotton Seed Placement
Plant cotton seeds in a location with loose, rich soil where the plants will receive at least four or five hours of direct sunlight every day. You can grow it in a container, but the container must be at least 36 inches (91 cm.) deep. It helps to work an inch (2.5 cm.) or so of compost into the soil before planting. Putting them in the ground too soon slows germination. Wait until temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees F. (15 C.). It takes 65 to 75 days of temperatures above 60 degrees F. (15 C.) for cotton to go from seed to flower. The plants need an additional 50 days after the flowers bloom for the seed pods to mature. Gardeners sowing cotton seeds in cool climates may find that they can bring the plants to flower, but don't have enough time remaining to watch the seed pods mature.
How to Plant a Cotton Seed
Sow the seeds when the soil temperature is close to 60 degrees F. (15 C.) first thing in the morning for several consecutive days. If the soil is too cool, the seeds will rot. Plant the seeds in groups of three, spacing them 4 inches (10 cm.) apart. Cover them with about an inch (2.5 cm.) of soil. Water the soil so that the moisture penetrates to a depth of at least 6 inches (15 cm.). You shouldn't have to water again until seedlings emerge. Gardeners new to planting cotton may wonder which way to plant cotton seeds; in other words, which way is up or down. The root will emerge from the tip of the seed, but you don’t have to concern yourself with placing the seed in the soil just so. No matter how you plant it, the seed will sort itself out.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Jackie Carroll has written over 500 articles for Gardening Know How on a wide range of topics.
-
Bee Cups For Thirsty Pollinators
Have you heard about Bee Cups? They're the sustainable, woman-owned business dedicated to saving the bees, one sip at a time.
By Caroline Bloomfield
-
Preparing Your Garden For Winter: 9 Vital Tasks For Stronger Plants And An Easy Start In Spring
These essential fall tasks will help your garden endure winter’s challenges, and enable you to get a headstart on the next growing season.
By Melanie Griffiths
-
Boll Weevil History – Learn About The Boll Weevil And Cotton Plants
The story of the boll weevil and cotton is a long one, lasting many decades. To learn more about cotton boll weevil problems, click the following article.
By Laura Miller
-
Picking Ornamental Cotton – How Do You Harvest Homegrown Cotton
Many people are trying their hand at growing crops that are traditionally grown by commercial farmers. One such crop is cotton. Learn about picking ornamental cotton and when to harvest your homegrown cotton in this article.
By Amy Grant
-
What Is Cotton Burr Compost: How To Use Cotton Burr Compost In Gardens
Not all compost is the same. Many gardeners will tell you that the best stuff you can get is cotton burr compost. Why and what is this? Find more information in this article and learn about how to use cotton burr compost in your garden.
By Liz Baessler
-
Black Cotton Plants – Tips On Planting Black Cotton In Gardens
Looking for something unusual to add to your garden? Have I got an extraordinary beauty for you - black cotton plants, which are related to the familiar white cotton. Intrigued? This article provides tips on how to grow black cotton, harvest the plant, and more.
By Amy Grant
-
Cotton Plant Info For Kids - Teaching Kids How To Grow Cotton
Cotton growing with kids is easy and most will find this to be a fun project in additional to an educational one. Learn more about how to grow cotton in the following article and give your kids a fun history lesson.
By Nikki Tilley