Found 2 seeds in a wad of cotton......

I'd like to try and grow them in a container. Since I know nothing about cotton besides driving past it daily in fields, I don't even know how to do it or if the seeds will grow. I am assuming from the dry, sunny weather here in Lubbock, Texas that it requires a deep water once or twice during it's season with a bit in between. Probably prefers a more clay type well draining soil. Really what I'd like to know is if I'm on the right track or not. I don't even know what it's real name is. If one germinates I'd like to see it flower. How big could a regular ole cotton field plant get?

Is this a piece of cotton that you picked off a cotton plant? Or is it something you found in a bag of cotton balls or something along those lines? If it's some manufactured piece of cotton, there's a decent chance that something that was done to it during processing may have killed its ability to germinate. Certainly no harm in trying though!

Sunshine, you are in the very heart of Texas' cotton producers.

These 2 seeds are from a piece of cotton from a nearby field that must have blown in. For some reason I want to watch them develop. Although I see cotton daily (growing in the fields) I have never witnessed the growth first hand on a daily basis. I'm gonna try and see what it does in a pot. I't kinda strange, all my life here with cotton everywhere and even my co-workers and friends haven't personally experience this plant. Thanks.



This message was edited Mar 17, 2008 9:41 PM

Sunshines2day,

I think cotton seeds are pretty easy to sprout. There was a company some years ago that sold packaged cotton seeds to grow as house plants. One of my coworkers had a package, two or three in the package. He planted them in a pot. It was no time at all before the plants were a foot high.

Karen

Last year after visiting a cotton field in Alabama (my home state), I tried planting cotton seeds. Lo and behold I grew two plants that sprouted their own cotton balls. This year while out in my shed starting my tomato plants I saw the seeds left over from last year. I knew they were a year old but thought "what the heck" I'll try again. The picture tells the rest. Maybe I should turn into a North Carolina cotton farmer.

Melanie

Hi Sunshines2day,

Several years ago, I decided to make a wreath out of cotton (shown in a Martha Stewart magazine -- the wreaths represented the various states). Even though the cotton wreath wasn't the AR one, since we have lots of cotton here, I decided I wanted to make one. I noticed that I could purchase the cotton from a place in NEW YORK CITY, but being a southern gal, decided I would do it the old fashioned way and grow my own. One day as my husband and I were passing a cotton field that has lots of cotton left in the corners after picking, I picked some of it, brought it home, pulled the seeds out of the cotton and proceeded to plant them in a raised bed my husband had prepared. To my delight, I was able to watch it grow, bloom -- this is really fascinating -- the flowers open pink, then turn to white, and produce enough cotton for my wreath, so go for it. It's fun to do -- you don't have to plant enough for a wreath, but it's something to watch old mother nature do her thing! I didn't put the wreath outdoors because I thought it might be tempting for birds to use it to build a nest and after all of that work, I wanted to enjoy it! Sorry I can't send you a picture, but we are still in Florida for the winter.

Thanks Everyone,

I have only been gardening for 10 years and never tried cotton, I am excited about it . With only 2 seeds...sure hoping one will make it to maturity. I made a decision this season to grow only those plants that I have never grown before with the exception of some tropical hibiscus and those few that were overwintered. Usually I go for color, this year texture is in for me.

Hi Melsalz.

Hope you let us know how your cotton in Mooresville turns out -- many years ago, I used to spend my summer vacation with relatives in the Mooresville and Mt. Mourne area. Had a blast..

JeanK: Small world isn't it. You probably would never believe it was the same place as it is now. Lowe's moved their corporate headquarters to Mt. Mourne about 2 years ago. With that came a huge (and I do mean huge) growth spurt. Because Mooresville is Nascar Racing USA, and the close proximity to Charlotte we are a booming place. No recession in these parts.

Melanie

Melsalz: The world seem to be getting smaller every day! Still have cousins in Mt. Mourne and Mooresville -- hope to see them on an upcoming trip to NC. Good luck on your cotton!