Cotton Tree (Live Seedling)

$5.55

A small seedling sprouting from a grow sponge in a small food safe plastic container and mailed to your address.

A small seedling sprouting from a grow sponge in a small food safe plastic container and mailed to your address.

Growing a cotton tree seedling (Gossypium spp.) requires warm temperatures, full sun, and care tailored to its tropical or subtropical origins. Whether you're growing cotton as an ornamental, for educational purposes, or to harvest fibers, here's a comprehensive guide:

🌿 How to Grow a Cotton Tree Seedling

1. Plant Overview

  • Botanical Name: Gossypium hirsutum (most common species)

  • Common Names: Cotton plant/tree, cotton bush

  • Type: Perennial shrub/tree (grows as annual in temperate climates)

  • Zones: USDA 8–11 (grows as annual in zones 6–7)

  • Height: 3–6 feet (bushy) or up to 10+ feet in tree-like form in warm regions

2. Ideal Growing Conditions

☀️ Sunlight

  • Needs full sun: at least 6–8 hours/day

  • The more sunlight, the better the flower and fiber production

🌱 Soil

  • Well-draining, loamy or sandy soil

  • Slightly acidic to neutral pH: 5.8–7.0

  • Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged soil

🌡️ Temperature

  • Warm weather is critical: Cotton needs daytime temps of 70–95°F (21–35°C)

  • Sensitive to frost — do not plant until soil is warm (above 65°F/18°C)

3. Planting Instructions

📅 Best Time to Plant

  • Late spring or early summer, once frost risk has passed and soil is warm

🕳️ Planting Steps

  1. Choose a sunny location with room for air circulation

  2. Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball, twice as wide

  3. Place seedling and backfill with native soil

  4. Water well after planting

  5. Add light mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds

📏 Spacing

  • 2–3 feet apart for seedlings in rows or garden beds

4. Watering

  • Young seedlings: Keep soil moist but not soggy (1–2 times/week)

  • Established plants: Water deeply when top inch of soil is dry

  • Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot

5. Fertilizing

  • Start feeding 2–3 weeks after planting

  • Use balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 4–6 weeks

  • Optional: Add compost or aged manure for organic nutrients

6. Growth & Development

  • Flowering: After 6–8 weeks, plants produce large, creamy flowers that turn pink

  • Boll formation: Flowers give way to green pods (bolls) that swell and eventually burst open to reveal white cotton fibers

  • Time to harvest: ~120–160 days from planting

7. Pruning (If Tree-Formed)

  • In warm climates, cotton can grow into tree-like perennials

  • Prune in late winter to shape or control size

  • Remove dead or crossing branches to encourage air flow

8. Pests & Diseases

  • Common pests: Aphids, whiteflies, boll weevils, thrips

  • Diseases: Fusarium wilt, bacterial blight

  • Prevention:

    • Use insecticidal soap or neem oil

    • Practice crop rotation if replanting in the same area

    • Avoid wet foliage and overcrowding

9. Harvesting Cotton

  • When bolls burst open and dry, cotton is ready to pick

  • Harvest by hand; separate cotton from seeds if desired

  • For fiber use, dry completely and store in a cool, dry place

✅ Quick Tips

  • Requires warm weather and full sun

  • Avoid planting too early — cotton hates cold soil

  • Needs well-drained soil and consistent moisture

  • Hand-pollination not required — flowers self-pollinate

  • Can be grown in containers in cooler zones and overwintered indoors