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.

Bugs? Disease?

I wish my papaw were here to diagnose what's wrong with this plant.  I described the condition to him on the phone, but understandably, he needs to see it.  We are lucky, that it is only one.

A Few of our Beauties

Distractions

There have been few postings of late given a myfavorite distractions.  The book, Game of Thrones, consumes most of my waking hours.  Before that, it was a book of letters from a frontierswoman in the early 1900's.  Reading, knitting and keeping house are all I do.  The cotton's been kept watered and weeded, no more.  I blame my lack of attention on the heat.  It's all the menagerie and I can do to sit on the patio in the shade and drink iced tea.   

              My reading buddies.                                                This is a cat without a concern in the world.

The Inevitable

We suspected that several of the seedlings would not make it when we first put them in the ground.  These were the plants that sprouted in teeny six pack containers.  My watering schedule during the month of April was not sufficient, therefore they did not get a proper start.  I theorize that the small containers allowed for quick evaporation of the water, thus stunting the plants.  

Many hung on for a while.  It was always so strange to see the four inch high plants situated next to the two foot plus monsters.  One by one, the tiny seedlings faded and died.  Some I pulled out of the ground as soon as their pitiful little leaves begin to wilt.   No sense prolonging the inevitable. 

Below is a picture of one of the lackluster specimens.  

Head Count

This evening we hauled out the fifty pound bag of cotton seed meal to fertilize.  Of course, the bag offered no instructions as to how much each plant might require.  That's  because no one in their right mind fertilizes individual cotton plants. The Internet was of no help so Maryann and I settled for a quarter cup per plant.  We laid it out on the side of each plant, counting as we went.  The tally was 113 plants.  Two of which are not fairing well, having most likely been sat on by a dog or cat butt.  56.5% percent of the seeds we planted have managed to hold on, in various states of growth.  Given this failure rate, we will certainly plant more seeds next year.   Nevertheless, Maryann and I are pleased with the progress.

A few of our beauties

Some of these guys are a foot tall!  Others?  Well, on our farm, everything is encouraged to grow at its own pace.  Doesn't that sound zen?  It's a wonderful way to keep from uttering discouraging words to the under performers. 

Laziness of Summer

Laziness makes me consider ridiculous possibilities.  In the last post I mentioned the option of not weeding the cotton.  How silly!  The grass was outgrowing the crop!  Maryann and I spent three days this last week pulling up every bit of green that wasn't a cotton plant.  We used mini cultivators because both of us lack the coordination to chop cotton with a hoe.  Below is our progress in installations.

We ended day one with little hope of ever finishing.  

Maryann is standing near another little patch we weeded that first day.  It looks so pitiful and grassy at this point. I preferred to continue in the bent over position weeding rather that water.  I am sick of holding the hose and it isn't yet June.

This is the finished product.  Rows are non existent.  Maryann and I laughed so hard while dreaming up excuses for disorderly planting.  We settled on telling folks that each plant told us where it wanted to be placed.  Isn't it plausible that each little guy would know where it would receive the appropriate amount of sun and rain?  We were simply the means by which it was transported to its rightful place in the universe.  Such a far out thought......

But in reality, we were too sun-addled to notice that our rows veered off in all directions.  Next year we will lay the rows out using string.  The string will guide us so less actual thinking can be involved.  

Rain!

This evening a slow rain fell on the expectant cotton and my brown, parched front lawn.  I can't imagine what my neighbors must think of my gardening skills given the condition of the front.  I've just been so busy tending to the cotton and my numerous potted plants, day lilies and irises that there is little time for much else.  

Since the folks down the street are trying to sell their house, I will do my part to beautify the neighborhood for prospective buyers and get some sod for the front lawn.  That was dad's advice. Get a few pieces of sod to put down in bare places.  If it doesn't beautify, at least it will show progress.  Dad told me I could even cut up the square foot pieces and distribute them.  This is after applying weed and feed.  I want to take the hippie/earth mother approach and go chemical free, but my lawn is in desperate shape.  I can't even identify the weeds out there.  Anyway, while I would love to take the ecological high road, I feel the suburban pressure to have a presentable lawn like everyone else.  

As an aside, I had planned to reseed the yard, but dad advised against it.  Something about not coming up evenly and constantly wanting to die.  While dad and I differ on his liberal use of Round Up and a few other gardening practices, I must admit he knows what's he's doing.  Dad got it from his father.  Papaw is so knowledgeable about everything green.  Walking with him in the garden is like walking with a North American tree and plant guidebook   Last time I visited Mamaw and Papaw, I cheekily offered to let him come live with me and be my yard guy.  I tried to sell him on lodging accommodations and told him I would feed him better than mamaw.   We both knew that I couldn't deliver on that last one.  

Should I Worry about Weeding?

While mowing, I noticed just how badly the cotton needs weeding. Maryann and I planned to weed yesterday, but that fell through. She had too much too do before leaving for Dallas and I am too lazy to weed without her motivating camaraderie. Maybe we should just let the grass grow in and weedeat it as it gets too high. I know the grass will require more watering in order to keep the cotton healthy and growing at an appropriate rate. I also know weeding is fruitless. Weed today, weed tomorrow, it's never ending. I need someone to weigh in on this.

Water

I'll do some heavy watering this evening.  Hopefully, that will help all the plants perk up.  I've got a call in to pick up cow manure.  Unfortunately, the pasture owner is busy with ball games today.  I would go and get it by myself, but I don't know if they own a bull.

Catmandoo

In taking this photo, I believe I interrupted  a pounce on an unsuspecting Lilly.  He got as far as the anticipatory "butt wiggle" before noticing the stupid human(me) with the camera.  


Prior to the photo Catmandoo was watching The Fink and me check out the garden and various plants around the yard.  Both animals like this spot as it is deliciously sandy and allows them a panoramic view of the yards nearby.

Lilly

Please pause a moment to admire this picture as it took quite a bit of effort to capture.  Lilly does not understand the concept of "sit" except in the context of receiving a treat.  Her ears are back due to complete and total confusion.  


It's important to my mom that I treat each pet fairly. I can't mention one without the other.  The problem is capturing them in a still position.  Frank is much more accommodating since he is a cat.  Cats aren't big on exerting themselves.  

Boll Weevil Eradication

This bright yellow cylinder is courtesy of the state's boll weevil eradication program.  I see no evidence of a boll weevil.  Of course, I have no idea what to look for either.  

Finky

This is why there won't be many pictures of Lilly.  She is heat adverse, preferring the shade of a tree, or in this case, a shed.   Wish she could pull up that tall grass for me.

Need to Weed

This is one of the smaller specimens, planted in a grassier area.  We desperately need to get out there and weed.  Since weeding is already an unpleasant activity, the hot sun does nothing to encourage me.  

New Growth

New leaves are sprouting every day.  I'm actually not sure if sprouting is the correct word.  The leaves seem to overwhelm the delicate looking stalks.  I want to stand out there and cheer the little guys on, but my neighbors already think I'm strange for planting cotton in the backyard.

New Leaves

While watering today, I noticed many of the plants were putting out new leaves.  I'll post a photo tomorrow.  I'm also hoping a friend of mine will allow Maryann and me to traipse through her pasture in pursuit of a more natural form of fertilizer.  Should I trust reinforced Hefty bags to keep my vehicle safe from cow poo?

And so it begins....

 It was decided that a layer of decaying leaves would make a great addition to the soil.  After spreading the leaves, we placed several tarps over the grass in the garden area.  We chose this as an alternative to spraying Roundup.  No, it didn't work as well as we hoped.

 It proved to be fairly breezy out so we used several logs to hold the tarps down.  Several logs, two flower pots, a metal pole, an ancient step ladder.....whatever was handy.

 We took turns with the tilling.  That machine is downright cantankerous.  A pair of mules and a plow might be an improvement.    I don't think Maryann will be pleased that I posted this view of her tilling.  My times coming.  Keep reading.

See, this is what you look like after failing to bathe for thirty six hours.  I've got cutoff jammy pants on and a shirt covered in old paint stains.  Gardening is not glamorous.   Next year, I'll try to look spiffy for the photos.

The first seedling is planted.  Maryann and I originally planted the seeds in those plastic containers you get from the home and garden stores.  Those we planted in the smaller six packs tended not to fair so well.  I suppose the soil dried out much more quickly in the teeny containers.  Live and learn.

Our day was spent in this position.  Whether it was pulling grass or planting the cotton seedlings, I do believe my behind was in the air the majority of the day.  We attempted to plant in beautiful straight rows.  This did not happen.  Next year we will plant along a length of string.  Yet another lesson.

Many of you know Frank, the $2700 free cat.  He is convinced that the garden was tilled to create his personal toilet.  Notice that he was kind enough to hold one of the cotton plants gently between his toes.

In this photo Frank is fulfilling his role as overseer.  He moved positions throughout the day, never straying too far.  Faithful Lilly was there as well.  She was enthralled by the organic fertilizer I applied before planting.  It must have contained bone meal.  Lilly toodled between the rows licking it up when I wasn't looking.  We've noticed no ill effects so far.  .

Aren't these little guys adorable?