cotton

fortyonenorth · January 29, 2012

I received some seeds for a purple-leafed cotton variety, Gossypium herbaceum 'Nigrum.' I've never grown cotton before. Being a Northerner, I'm not at all sure how well it will grow here. Can anyone offer any cultural advice on when to start seeds and what to do once I transplant?

bitterwort · January 29, 2012

I've grown a couple of varieties in pots here in Minnesota, but different varieties seem to vary in days to maturity so I'm not sure how long yours is. My goal was to have some for a dried-flower bouquet and I did manage it one year. (The last time I grew it, squirrels picked all the bolls just as they were about to open, but I think they would have matured otherwise.)

I would start the seeds inside about the time you start peppers or eggplants. I think I just started them in plugs and then potted them up. Their ultimate homes were very large pots, the size I would use for an eggplant or indeterminate tomato, full sun and plenty of fertilizer. It's likely the black pot helped things along. If you are trying to save seeds and aren't sure about maturity time, you might keep one or two in pots to hedge your bets.

Sounds very pretty. Do you know what color the cotton is?

salix · January 29, 2012

I tried a green coloured variety here lasts year. Started a few seeds at the same time as tomatoes and potted on when appropriate size. Kept in large black pot on driveway (warmest area) and crossed fingers. Unfortunately, it was a cold and wet season so they did not thrive and conked out at the first sign of a frosty night. Will try again and hope for warmer weather. Just did it to see how they grew - was absolutely charmed by the felted wool appearance of the seed. Next exotic project - peanuts!

fortyonenorth · January 29, 2012

Thanks for the replies. I think the cotton is typical off-white. The foliage is really striking, though:

I love "dark" foliage as much as I like dark tomatoes.

gssgarden · January 29, 2012

Grew it here in NC for the kids! Did very well! ALOT of seeds to pick out! Don't know which kind but pretty plant, pretty flower too!

Keiththibodeaux · January 29, 2012

I see the prettier varieties used as ornamental bedding plant quite a lot down here.

DuckCreekFarms · January 31, 2012

41N

That is a beautiful plant. would you share your seed source?
thanks
garyvs

Penny · February 1, 2012

Thats really pretty!!

fortyonenorth · February 1, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckCreekFarms

That is a beaurtiful plant. would you share your seed source?

I received them in a trade with an ornemental gardener. Unfortunately, a quick Google search didn't turn up any commercial sources. If I can get these to grow and set seed, I'd be glad to share next year.

DuckCreekFarms · February 1, 2012

thanks 41 I did a google also and didn't find them. Hope you have great success and get lots of seed..
thanks
gary

January 29, 2012	#1
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	cotton I received some seeds for a purple-leafed cotton variety, Gossypium herbaceum 'Nigrum.' I've never grown cotton before. Being a Northerner, I'm not at all sure how well it will grow here. Can anyone offer any cultural advice on when to start seeds and what to do once I transplant?

January 29, 2012	#2
bitterwort Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MN Zone4b Posts: 289	I've grown a couple of varieties in pots here in Minnesota, but different varieties seem to vary in days to maturity so I'm not sure how long yours is. My goal was to have some for a dried-flower bouquet and I did manage it one year. (The last time I grew it, squirrels picked all the bolls just as they were about to open, but I think they would have matured otherwise.) I would start the seeds inside about the time you start peppers or eggplants. I think I just started them in plugs and then potted them up. Their ultimate homes were very large pots, the size I would use for an eggplant or indeterminate tomato, full sun and plenty of fertilizer. It's likely the black pot helped things along. If you are trying to save seeds and aren't sure about maturity time, you might keep one or two in pots to hedge your bets. Sounds very pretty. Do you know what color the cotton is? __________________ Bitterwort

January 31, 2012	#7
DuckCreekFarms Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mounds, Oklahoma Posts: 257	41N That is a beautiful plant. would you share your seed source? thanks garyvs __________________ DuckCreekFarms.Com Last edited by DuckCreekFarms; February 1, 2012 at 08:14 AM.

February 1, 2012	#10
DuckCreekFarms Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mounds, Oklahoma Posts: 257	thanks 41 I did a google also and didn't find them. Hope you have great success and get lots of seed.. thanks gary __________________ DuckCreekFarms.Com

January 29, 2012	#3
salix Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north central B.C. Posts: 2,310	I tried a green coloured variety here lasts year. Started a few seeds at the same time as tomatoes and potted on when appropriate size. Kept in large black pot on driveway (warmest area) and crossed fingers. Unfortunately, it was a cold and wet season so they did not thrive and conked out at the first sign of a frosty night. Will try again and hope for warmer weather. Just did it to see how they grew - was absolutely charmed by the felted wool appearance of the seed. Next exotic project - peanuts!

January 29, 2012	#5
gssgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,821	Grew it here in NC for the kids! Did very well! ALOT of seeds to pick out! Don't know which kind but pretty plant, pretty flower too!

January 29, 2012	#6
Keiththibodeaux Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 587	I see the prettier varieties used as ornamental bedding plant quite a lot down here.

February 1, 2012	#8
Penny Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 948	Thats really pretty!!