Cotton Plant Growth Stages and Life Cycle Complete Details

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Written By James Porter

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Cotton Plant Growth Stages and Life Cycle Complete Details
Cotton Plant Growth Stages and Life Cycle Complete Details

Cotton Plant Growth Stages and Life Cycle:

Complete Explore the Cotton Plant Growth Stages and Life Cycle, Few threads in the fabric of nature are as durable and indispensable as the Lifecycle of a cotton plant. The cotton plant has historically been a part of human history. It has grown everywhere, from the luscious plains of Central America to the ancient wilds of Australia. Its intricate dance of expansion and growth from seed to fiber is a tribute to the marvels of nature’s design. It heavily influences the cotton garments we wear today.

Importance of Cotton Plant Growth Stages and Lifecycle:

Growth, an unstoppable increase in mass and size, is how a cotton plant starts its trip. Growth is the passage through certain stages. It directs its transition from seed to blossom and blossom to boll. Degree day 60s (DD60s), a measure of accumulated heat units, provide a fixed pattern for this complex process but is still subject to environmental fluctuations.

Managing the difficulties of cotton cultivation requires understanding this dance of growth and development. From seed to fiber, every stage is important for guaranteeing an abundant harvest. Because of its intricate structure, unpredictable growth pattern, and sensitivity to environmental factors, this plant offers its caretakers special challenges and benefits.

Come on this journey with us as we explore the different stages of cotton growth and development. As we uncover the secrets of life, we’ll explore the biology behind this incredible natural phenomenon. From developing seeds to fully-developed, fiber-rich bolls, this journey will help us better understand the cotton plant, and the ancient art of growing that sustains us all.

Heat unit levels and stages of cotton production:

Degree Day 60s (DD60s) is a unit of heat accumulation that is used to measure the growth stage of a cotton plant. This unit of heat accumulation helps determine the plant’s growth stage by considering the effects of temperature on the plant’s development.

Cotton plant’s life cycle is unique, and they don’t grow very well under 60 °F, so DD60s can be used to measure their growth. To calculate DD60s, you can take the average of the daily maximum and minimum temperature and subtract 60 to get your daily total. This simple method allows you to see the growth trajectory of the plant more clearly.

You can use state extensions or an online DD60 calculator to help you with this process. Different types of cotton have different sets of DD60 requirements for each growth stage.

This heat unit concept which is based on the number of hours accumulated over a given temperature – is a more accurate way to describe growth and development than using calendar days. Cotton plant growth stages and Lifecycle require a threshold temperature of 60˚F, and heat units are referred to as DD60s. By understanding and calculating these heat units, we can better predict and explain the stages of cotton plant development.

 The life cycle of a cotton plant from seed to fabric:

In the wide world of cotton growing, there are five main varieties:

These are named as follows: 

  • Egyptian
  • Sea island
  • American Pima
  • Asiatic
  • Upland

Every one of these is different from one another due to varying characteristics. All of the above-mentioned types need 160 days of frost-free growth. That is how they reach full maturity.

What are the steps in growing cotton? 

The cotton plantation voyage begins right after the farmer takes the initiative to pick a particular variety to plant. This initiative is impacted by economic factors as well as the characteristics of the planting area. Now, you may wonder what are the steps in cotton production.

Cotton plant growth and Lifecycle Stages :

Once the cotton plant is planted, it goes through five different growth stages:

  • Germination and emergence: The seed wakes up and begins to push through the soil.
  • Seedling establishment: The young plant begins to take root and grow upward.
  • Leaf area canopy development: The leaves unfurl, allowing the plant to capture sunlight and promote growth.
  • Flowering and boll development: The plant goes into reproductive mode and produces flowers that will eventually become cotton bolls
  • Maturation: The final stage is when the bolls ripen, burst open, and are ready for harvest.

Cotton plant growth stages:

Germination stage:

When you plant a cotton seed in moist soil, germination begins within hours of moisture entering your seed. Within 5-10 days, your seed will sprout a tiny shoot. Planting at 1-2 ½ inches deep and in soil temperatures at or above 60°F creates the ideal conditions for the seed to wake up from slumber.

Oxygen uptake increases as the seed draws on its stored energy to grow new cells and tissue. As it absorbs water, its seed coat splits, and a radicle (a tiny root) emerges.

The radicle explores its underground domain, and the seed’s embryonic leaves begin their journey to the light. When exposed to sunlight, they produce chlorophyll and photosynthesis, which allows them to proliferate and arch towards the surface.

As the seedling gets closer to emergence, it sheds its seed coat.

Root development:

In the deep, dark roots, the cotton plant begins its silent journey to create a strong root system. The root system serves as the plant’s lifeline, absorbing all the nutrients and water it needs to grow and develop.

The primary root, also known as the taproot, plunges quickly into the soil. It can reach up to 10 inches in depth by the time the cotton cotyledon unfurls. Root development can occur at a rate of between 0.5 and 2 inches per day.

This allows the roots to grow three times deeper than the plant. Lateral roots emerge from the taproot, forming a thick mat that spreads out for several feet in every direction. The majority of the root system lies within three inches of the soil surface.

As the plant grows, its total root length increases and reaches its maximum height. What’s interesting about root development is that it mirrors the growth of the plant above ground. Root activity decreases as the plant matures as it sets fruit. Carbohydrates, which are essential for root development, are redirected to fruit development, resulting in a gradual decrease in root length.

Cotton leaves have a thick, waxy coating and measure 4 to 6 inches wide. They are covered in epidermal hair. Cotton seedlings emerge under favorable conditions within 5 to 10 days of planting or after 50 to 60DD60s. Cotyledons are fully expanded leaves that are about 1-2 inches above the ground.

The cotton plant’s main stem, which is made up of a series of nodes or internodes, shows an indeterminate amount of growth as the seedling germinates.

Formation of True Leaves:

The first true leaf of the cotton plant emerges about a week after the seedling is established. It provides essential stored food for the seedling as it matures. Once the embryonic leaves are fully developed, they transform and produce chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is the key to photosynthesis, which is the process by which the cotton plant generates energy. The apical meristem becomes the focal point of the seedling’s growth as it matures and becomes vegetative and reproducing. The transition from emergence into vegetative growth is marked by the formation of the first true leaves.

Reproduction phase:

The first signs of growth are small cotton plant flower buds known as squares that appear around the plant’s fifth to seventh week of life. By the eighth to tenth week, the plant has grown taller and branches have begun to form.Bracts are then broken through by the flowers, which become visible and begin the process of pollination within 3 days.

The color of the flowers indicates their stage of development. When the flower emerges, it changes from a white or yellow color to pink as it withers away and falls off. At the base of the flower is an immature boll. Inside the boll are about 32 cotton seeds. These seeds are surrounded by the fibers that will grow into cotton.

Boll development:

The cotton boll develops rapidly after fertilization and reaches its full size within 3 weeks. It takes another 4 to 5 weeks to mature fully. During this time, the seeds within the boll mature but do not mature until just before the boll opens. The cotton fibers within the boll grow quickly and reach their full length within 25 days of fertilization. They thicken around 16 days post-fertilization and continue to thicken until the boll fully matures.

The development of a boll can be broken down into three stages. The first stage is enlargement, the second stage is filling, and the third stage is maturation.

In the enlargement stage, the seed fibers are elongated, and the secondary cell wall is formed. The seed fibers contain cellulose which is deposited daily, but the length of the elongated fibers depends on environmental factors (water availability, temperature, nutrient deficiencies, etc.). It takes around 50 days for the boll to open after pollination.

Once the boll has fully developed and the seed is mature, it decreases or opens. The cell adjacent to the boll’s dorsal suture will shrink unevenly as the boll’s capsule walls dry. This will cause the boll to split open.

When mature fibers dry, they bend and twist together to form an entangled network, allowing the fiber to be spun into yarn.

The quality of yarn and fabric is determined by the mechanical properties of the fiber’s secondary cell wall. If drying begins prior to full development, the fibers will look like flat ribbon shapes.

FAQs Related to Cotton Plant Growth Stages and Life Cycle:

What is the growth period of cotton? Or How many days does it take for cotton to grow?

Cotton growth stages in days are 50 days. Over time, the fibers become longer and thicker and eventually burst open to reveal the cotton fibers. By the eighteenth to twenty-fifth week, the cotton is ready for harvesting.

How to grow cotton from a seed?

  • Plant cotton seed in an area of sunlight and temperature. Place them into moist soil and place rows almost 30 inches away.
  • During germination, do not over-water, and do not let the soil become hard and dry, either.
  • Once the cotton has come out, thin out the growth.
  • As the cotton grows, you may need to spray and take care of its water needs.

How long does it take to grow cotton from seed?

It takes about 50 days to grow a cotton plant from a seed


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James Porter
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Welcome to our haven of gardening and plant care, where outdoor and indoor planting enthusiasts come together! At Gardening Wisdom Hub, we aim to provide you with the most authentic information on anything related to gardening, plant care, seasonal planting etc.

The author of our website is James Porter, an experienced industry veteran. He has a deep interest in everything green. James’s enthusiasm for exploring plants’ features and learning new gardening methods began at a young age. Gradually, his passion increased with time, leading him to become a highly esteemed professional. His extensive knowledge makes him a priceless resource for inexperienced and seasoned gardeners.

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