High Cotton

The cotton toward the middle is over six feet tall.  It is amazing!  I can't even walk among the plants anymore.  It would horrify me to knock off one single bowl.  When I woke this morning, there were brand new blooms everywhere!

 Many of the bolls are larger than the biggest walnut I've ever seen.  I go out every day to see if they've opened.  Jason, my ex-husband and son of a former cotton farmer, says the fiber is growing inside the bolls. I'm supposed to be patient.

Few Thoughts

My Uncle Powell and Ms. Sylvia visited the same day as the rest of the family.  He was able to look at the crop and surmise that we most likely have 24D damage.  I probably didn't type that name correctly, but I do remember that's what he called it.  24D is a weed killer that can drift over a distance.  It is likely someone in the neighborhood sprayed their lawn or pasture and it headed our way.  Uncle Powell said the damage was indicated by leaves that appeared rubbery.  I'm grateful he sprayed an organic pesticide before he left.  This seemed to take care of whatever bug left a manure like substance all over several plants.  

It occurred to me later that the pesticide also killed our lovely lady bug population.  We were pretty intent on keeping those.  In fact, I  would rather control other pests with "good" bugs.  Besides lady bugs, we have to find out what those are.   I'm sure we can order insect eggs over the Internet.  They'll hatch in the garden and eat all those dreaded aphids. 

The wind has taken a toll on the plants.  God forbid is this were Oklahoma.  Our heirloom variety of cotton, Nankeen Brown, grows tall and proud.  This does not prove wind hardy.  Next season we will stake each plant with a stalk of bamboo to avoid losing any to the wind.  

Family Visit

That's my family in front of our cotton patch.  From left to right: Charles Bryant (Papaw), Minnie Bryant (Mamaw), Will Bryant (Dad) and Alice Bryant (Mom).  Of course, Lilly worked her way in too.  I was as proud as a peahen that they were there.  It was a treat to see Papaw walk through the plants, lightly squeezing the squares to check for blooms or evaluating those bolls that had already begun to form.  He pointed out some bug infestations and suggested certain pesticides to knock them out.  

I believe we are checking out some insect damage in this photo.  That's dad in the foreground.  Mom and Mamaw stood patiently by, supportive as ever.  Mama has been monitoring our progress via the blog and regular phone conversations. She's pretty convinced of our success, and that's nice to hear.  

Bloom Photos

The blooms appear so delicate when they first open.  I've enjoyed looking out my bedroom window each morning to see spots of color peeking through the green foliage.  

Before closing, this flower was a lovely burgundy  It went from a soft yellow to a deepening red before shriveling up.  Eventually it will fall off the end of the growing boll.

Correction

In one of my most recent posts I misinterpreted what my Papaw said regarding the blooming process.  Uncle Powell read the blog and sent an email with correct information.  It's wonderful to have relatives that know what's going on.  The "square" Papaw referenced actually refers to the triangular shaped growth that produces the bloom.  The remaining plants are COVERED in those little triangles.  It is exciting to walk outside and see new blooms.

Dad will bring Papaw this Saturday for a visit.  This is a man who is familiar with cotton by the acre.  Our little plot might seems pitiful.  I'm sure he will be gracious as he looks over the plants and makes suggestions.
Uncle Powell will also visit on Saturday.  He and his long time lady friend are coming in to town for the Peach Festival.  He should be able to identify the problem with the two plants that are covered in what appear to be tiny black eggs.

Blooms!!!!!!

We might actually have cotton!!!!!!  I spoke with my papaw this morning and he told me a little bit more about how things should progress now that we have blooms.  When I asked why the blooms are different colors on different plants, he told me that the bloom is first white and then changes color.  The pictures below show some of the darker blooms shriveled up.  This is a good sign.  That means the blooms will fall off, leaving what Papaw said folks call a "square."  Apparently, its actually triangular shaped.  From the square comes the boll.  It's so nice to be able to talk to him about what's going on, instead of searching the Internet.

Look closely and you can see the bloom on the right hand side.

This one has two so far.

My pride and joy!

From here, the boll will start to form.  My Uncle Powell, manger of a farmer's co-op, said we should have bolls by July 4th.  Won't that be amazing?!

Big Un's

I've included a picture of Lilly in the garden to give some perspective on the height of the plants.  The wind has been brutal.  Every other day I have to go outside and upright many of the taller ones.  Maryann and I mounded dirt around the base, but the wind blows so hard (for Louisiana) that the plants sway back and forth creating a hole in the mound.  Eventually the plant leans to one side or another of the hole.  

None of the stalks have snapped yet.  We did lost one of the larger plants to what I suspect was an overzealous dog running through the patch.  

Notice the cat tail  on the left side of the picture below.  No doubt sniffing out a place to do his business.