
The plants of cotton require a long, sunny growing period with at least 160 frost- free days. This means that cotton is usually planted in the spring. After the seeds are planted seedlings appear 5-10 days, which bear seedling leaves call cotyledons. These cotyledons provide food to the young cotton plant. The first real leaves form 2-4 weeks after planting. The first flower bud appears 5-7 weeks after planting. The flower bud is called a square and is surrounded by leaf-like parts called bracts. The square opens about 8-10 weeks after planting into a white flower. The flower pollinates itself and within three days will fall off the plant leaving a green pod containing seeds and fibers. The pod browns as it ripens and splits open exposing the cotton fibers inside. The cotton is ready to be harvesting after 25 weeks.