Growing cotton isn't exactly easy. If you still want to give it a try, here are our tips on how to grow cotton yourself.
The wild form of cotton - a mallow plant - comes from purely tropical areas and is only rarely kept as a garden plant or houseplant. On the other hand, it is the cultivated plants that are widespread today and are also offered in local garden centers.
Cotton is an annual plant
The fiber (natural fibre) of cotton, which develops inside the plant capsule, has been used in the manufacture of textiles for centuries. Which is why the annual cotton plant is often grown in fields today - large-scale industrial cultivation, increasingly in Asia. You can also plant cotton in your own garden. We'll tell you how here.
Cultivation
You can easily grow individual plants in the greenhouse and as indoor plants (e.g. for the conservatory). All you need is cotton seeds that are as fresh as possible, which you have to sow in potting soil - e.g. in small pots or in the greenhouse bed. Then you should only cover the seed with a thin layer of soil.
The cotton should be grown as early as January/February, in any case at a high room temperature (approx. 21 to 25 degrees). Furthermore, the freshly sown seed requires constant moisture - not moisture - in order to be able to germinate optimally.
As soon as the seedlings are visibly well established, you can either transplant them individually into pots or plant them in a greenhouse bed.
» Tip:
Cotton seedlings need soil that is as sandy as possible but still rich in humus.
Care
Fertilize cotton plant:
While the plant usually grows quite magnificently indoors (e.g. in the conservatory or on the window sill) from spring onwards, you should also fertilize the plant regularly with a complete fertilizer - fertilize about once every two to four weeks - as needed.
» Tip:
The fertilization (equally with organic and mineral fertilizers) can then continue into the summer months.
Watering Cotton:
Furthermore, cotton plants need a lot of moisture, which is why they have to be watered regularly. However, you must avoid waterlogging!
» Tip:
Cotton also needs increased soil moisture more than increased air humidity. Because cotton clearly prefers the dry climate.
Optimal temperatures:
In addition, cotton needs a lot of sun and warmth on a permanent basis. Temperatures around 30 degrees are optimal, especially in the summer months - then the cotton plant can also find its place outdoors. Insofar as the temperatures do not drop too much there at night.
After the delicate yellow cotton blossom (approx. May to September), green capsules form on the stalk, which in turn burst open approx. 8 weeks later and reveal the white cotton fiber. Because of this natural spectacle, the cotton plant is a popular eye-catcher all year round.
Control pests:
Unfortunately, the cotton plant can also be attacked by pests:
- Aphids - spray plant with aphid remedy without poison
- Spider mites - put plant protection sticks in the ground to prevent them
- whiteflies - put the plant in an airy place