Cotton Fields of Louisiana

For those who have been following me for years know that I started learning how to spin by spinning cotton. 

A couple of years ago I grew cotton in Minnesota. I moved and had to dig it up before the white popped.  Around this field is a small trench. I stayed on the safe side. I was told the bugs are heavy at this time of year.

Looking at the cotton fields in Louisiana is inspiring. I MUST try again!  These plants are so dark because they defoliate the plants before picking.

Day 177 cotton experiment

Cotton Root

We have had frost several nights lately. The freeze warnings are getting closer.  I took a gamble. In everything I've read it talks about how the cotton plants dry before the pods pop open. We have had a fairly wet summer this year. Not a ton of rain but frequent.

Cotton plants hung to dry

When I pulled the plants out of the ground, it was still plenty moist. I decided to pull the plants before they froze and dry them in the warm basement.  Maybe they will continue the maturation process.

Cotton plant roots

BUT! What I noticed when I pulled the plants out of the ground was that the roots have amazing character! The stem and roots are a wood texture. I am hoping that they dry hard. Then we can trim them and use them for open air plants. That would be so cool!

Cotton Root close up - - many ideas!

Day 160 ... will it make it?

****Sorry, I tried to post this several times and my 3G/4G connection would not let me post it.****
Thursday, September 17th, was day 160.  I am still seeing daily blooms and at the same time seeing seed pods continue to grow.  I woke up on day 161 to a very cold morning.  The fall equinox is on September 23rd and we are loosing our warm days quickly.  

Minnesota Cotton at 160 days

It is going to be nip and tuck to see actual cotton this year.  I am trying hard to be hopeful. This has been a difficult fall for hope but I keep reaching for it.

Day 156 cotton growing

It takes 160 to 180 days to harvest cotton.  We have made it to day 156 but I am concerned.  We had a couple of nights in the high 40's low 50's this last week.  Every day has made it up to 60 degrees. 

The plants are still very green and multiple blooms are visible on any given day. With all of the buds, I was hoping to see white flowers one day with all of the buds in bloom.  Instead they have been blooming a few at a time.

Tucked beneath the canopy of green are white and pink flowers by the dozens. There are also seed pods getting larger by the day. The final picture that I am showing you is the first pink flower that I  tooka picture of for you. I have the feeling that I will get at least one tuft of cotton.  

It has been exciting learning about cotton growing. I might create a special green house to try it again next summer. But before I get ahead of myself,  I need to finish this summers harvest. 

Cotton growing update Day 142

I continue to see new blooms every day. Yet at the same time, I am starting to see some of the seed pods grow. I was concerned with the cold weather we had last week. It was a good thing that I was so busy packing.  I did think that if I try this next year that I might build a hot house around the plants to quickly cover the row (or two) over night on the cold nights.

Cotton Plant

I have been keeping an eye on the first flower.  You know ~ the day that I found the pink one and then realized on the plant next to it there were petals falling off from a different flower.  

Yesterday's flower and growing seed pod

There are many seed pods beginning to grow.  But this first seed pod is that largest.  It is now larger than my thumb.  For those that have not seen my hands in awhile, I can also say the seed pod is about the size of a quarter if it was made into a ball.

Seed Pod #1

I have found it interesting that the "square" continues to protect or hide through the growth of the seed pod. As I check out the plants, there are so many squares on each plant.  Unless I carefully open the frilly ends of the square, I can't tell what stage each square is in.  It could be a bud or it could be a growing seed pod but I can't tell.  I guess that means it is wait and see.  I do have hope that I will see some cotton from my plants.  Today is day 142 which means 18 to 38 days on average remain. An early first frost for us could be here in 21 days.  It is going to be nip and tuck.

Seed pod still protected

From white to pink

At lunch today I went out to check on the cotton plants.  After all, this is new for me.  I wondered if the flowers are like Day Lilies and Morning Glories that only bloom for a day or are they like Black-eyed Suzie that blooms for weeks on end?  When I peaked at the flower that was blooming yesterday, I was surprised to see that it had turned pink! A soft and delicate pink with white veins giving it a pin-striped look.  The bee knew!  It knew that it needed to pollinate this flower quickly because it was only going to be open for one short day.

Cotton Bloom Day 2

It was lunchtime and I took a few extra minutes to examine the plants.  That was something that I didn't do the day before.  I found another pink flower but this one looked like it was almost dried up.  When I moved a leaf to get a clear photo of it, the petals fell off and revealed a seed pod starting to form.  I regret to inform you that I was wrong.  The picture from yesterday was not the first bloom.  Within the day or two before my bold statement, a hidden flower bloomed that I did not see.  

Cotton Seed Pod starting to form

I am inspired!  I want to sit down and PAINT! In my mind, I can see a composite painting on a black canvas.  With a layer of the leaves and in the forefront the stages of the flower blooming and changing.  Although you would never see that in reality, in my mind it is the "Revelation of Hidden Beauty".  Remind me of that in a few years when I finally finish the painting! 

1st Bloom at day 124! I may still harvest cotton

They are here!  The first bud has opened into a flower. It has beautiful pure white silky petals hidden deep beneath the canopy of large green leaves.  This cotton is supposed to create a green cotton.  So I was curious to see what color the flowers would be. 

Full Bloom (cotton flower)

When I took some recycling out in the morning, I checked and saw that a bud had started to open.  The tightly held petals formed a soft circle at that time of day.  The square that covered the bud is being pushed open making it look like a green flame lapping up against the while silk.

Blooming Cotton Flower

I stood for a few minutes and watched this bee crawl around within the newly opened flower. "OH WOW!  This is a new taste!  What is it?  Yum yum yum and to think that I am the only one that has found it."  The bee was going wild.  Despite the fact that the flower was tucked deeply into the flower and difficult for me to see, the bee found it easily and was very excited abut it's find.  I only saw one flower blooming.  So I wondered if the bee could pollinate the flower with it's own pollen. Maybe there were other flowers blooming tucked away out of my site?  

Happy Bee - Fresh Cotton Flower

Day 122 - cotton update

I wonder more each day if the cotton is going to make it to harvest.  The plants are loaded with squares (ironically the triangular frilly green bud holders). 

Cotton bud hiding

I peaked inside one of the squares to see a bud that had formed.  I could see in the of the bud that there was a light colored petal(s) rolled up that will push open some day. The problem is that the canopy of leaves fully covers all of the squares and the squares full cover the buds.

Row of cotton plants

We have had a cooler and wetter summer than normal. Cotton likes hot and dry conditions. I am sitting on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Will I be able to harvest cotton from these plants this year?

Square to Flower ... cotton

Sunday, July 26th was day 107 for my cotton plants.  We had a strong storm come through and the plants were pushed over.  I had to cover the roots of one plant.  I peeked under the leaves and I saw the buds.  When the buds are so beautiful, I can't wait to see the actual bloom.  

Cotton bud

Upside down hearts with fingers like flames reaching up to the sky yet carefully tucked under the leaves protecting them from the weather.  The stem of the plant looks tough and hardy like a heavy duty shrub while the buds look like a little lace handkerchief. 

2 cotton buds

We are 2-3 weeks behind the normal schedule.  But when I look at the averages, it doesn't look so bad.  There is still a possibility that the plants will bloom and produce cotton.  I didn't choose the best spot.  The 4-5 plants closest to the toad house get significantly more shade than the other plants and I can tell the difference.  I am not seeing the full blooms on them yet.  This late in the season, it may mean that they will not produce a bloom in time for the cotton to mature.  

Row of cotton bending and twisting from the winds

When I planted the onions and garlic around the plants, I had purchased two kinds of garlic.  Last Friday when I got back from Houston, I noticed that one variety had tops that were drying out significantly.  I took the time over the weekend to harvest them.  The rest of the garlic and onions are also drying up.  I am guessing that in the next two weeks, that I will need to harvest them.  The cotton has two or three months remaining.  They will be harvested with the pumpkin and squash.  I am excited to see how these make it to the end!  ..... more updates to come on growing cotton in Minnesota.

Cotton update

I am learning a lot about cotton this summer.  One interesting fact is that cotton is naturally a perennial even though it is grown in the US as an annual in order to keep the bugs under control.

Cotton plant 79 days

An important thing to look for are the tiny growth that appears in the crooks of the branches. When those appear,  the cotton has reached the next stage.  I started my cotton inside.  It is unusual to grow cotton in Minnesota.  Our cooler temperatures have the cotton growing slower.

Close up of cotton plant

My cotton is about two weeks behind.  It will be interesting to see if it catches up. It was supposed to be blooming last week and it is only at the "true leaf" stage.  I enjoy learning new things!  It is so fascinating.  :^)

Cotton Pickin' .....

Cotton Plants at day 58

....maybe!  June 7th is day 58. The cotton plants cannot be planted outside until the ground is at 60 degrees Fahrenheit at 8 AM for 3 days in a row.  I started my seeds under grow lights in order to reach the 160 frost free days needed for the growing cycle. Purely by counting my cotton should be ready about September 17th.

Look at the healthy root system!

I have been working in Houston the last two weeks. The weather last weekend was too cold to consider even measuring the temperature. But it was a warm and humid week. Saturday morning it was around 63 degrees  (about 6 inches down). Sunday morning at 8 AM it was about 64 degrees.  I took a risk and made  an assumption that Friday morning was also above 60 degrees.

24 cotton plants

I have 24 plants to go into the ground. 4 to 5 of them are smaller plants in the same pot as a larger plant. I left the twins together and I planted the pots about 7 to 10 inches apart. The instructions said to water once a week from trenches.  I am a bit concerned that my ground maybe too moist and rich.

One step at a time and with great anticipation I will be watching my cotton plants.   Watch for more updates!  

Cotton Plants

Wool and Cotton; beginning to end

Really Trisha?  Wool and Cotton beginning to end?  Yes! And todays post is marking the beginnings.  I ordered some seed online: Cotton Erlene's Green Cotton D72202 (Green) 20 Organic Heirloom Seeds by David's Garden Seeds. 

 Non-GMO, organic, easy to grow and hand packed by David's Garden Seeds

Family heirloom from Erlene Melancon in east Texas

The fibers are light olive green and can be spun off the seed

Germination Rate: 70%

(Funny note: my Grandmother's name was Erlene and the last thing she would do was grow cotton.  My other grandmother, Stella, was a master gardener.) They arrived on March 30th and I planted them on April 11th.  

Cotton Seeds ready to plant

The instructions said that it was more important to keep the soil warm than to have a light source on them during the germination process.  So I put them under an end table next to the heat register. When I checked them Saturday evening, April 18th I realized that they had germinated and I moved them immediately under the grow light. 

Cotton plants

I have realized in the past that there are certain thoughts/feelings that I need to act on when I get them.  At a business meeting last week with my friend Jeannie, I had the feeling that maybe she and I needed to purchase a lamb together.  She has a hobby farm. After the meeting, I whispered to her "I have a deal for you. I'll buy a lamb if you will take care of it and we'll share the fleece." 


Gizem (pronounced give him with a Z instead of a V)

That evening Jeanne texted to me that there was a wether (castrated male) lamb that was being bottle fed because his mother had rejected him after a difficult birth.  He was at Ewespin Fiber Mill at Old Man Wool Farm outside of Stanchfield, MN.  24 hours later, we were at the farm picking up the lambs.


Jeanne and Trisha with their new little lambs

Are you saying "Wait a minute! You said one lamb."  Yes, but as Jeanne pointed out that sheep are herd animals and do not do well alone.  Deborah from the farm said that she did have two other lambs about the same age that she would be willing to sell.  So we chose a white ewe for our second lamb. Even though Irvy is two days older, she is smaller than Gizem because she was born a twin.



Irvy Tower (pronounced ivory tower)

Dale teased us that we should buy Irvy's black twin too so that we can have a variegated color like this ball.  I guess that is a long way away.  The lambs will grow over the summer and will be ready for their first shearing next spring.  After that we will need to wash the fleece, put it through a picking process and a carding process before it is in a ball like this and ready for spinning.  I will label future posts with Wool or Cotton so that you can watch the progress.  

Wool Ready for spinning from Ewespun Fiber Mill

My long term goal is to be able to knit myself a woolen shawl.  (I am thinking 3 to 5 years.)  It brings a new meaning to Jesus saying "Feed my sheep". The meaning that was understood by the people to whom Jesus was talking to about it.