Cotton is a long-season crop, so mistakes early in the season are paid for at picking.
Keys to a good stand
- Spacing and population: crowded plants grow tall and shed bolls; too wide leaves weeds room. Follow the variety's recommended spacing.
- Nitrogen in splits: a little at planting, more at squaring. One heavy dose makes leafy plants with few bolls.
- Scout weekly from squaring: check squares and bolls for bollworm and sucking pests, and spray only past the threshold.
- Water at flowering and boll set: stress then causes shedding.
Picking
Pick when bolls are fully open and dry, in clean bags, and keep grades separate. Trash and wet cotton lower the price.
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