Cotton

As you travel down County Rd 34 in Washington County, AL it is not unusual to see rows and rows of cotton. But many people are unaware of the processes cotton goes through just to be harvested.

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.