Counting Fruiting Nodes to Determine Week of Bloom 7-18 If you don’t remember when your cotton started blooming, you can count the fruiting branches that have a boll up to the highest first position white bloom. In general, we measure in terms of weeks of bloom, however with this hot July, the better measurement could be reproductive nodes with bolls. Typically cotton blooms advance one node every 3 days. That would mean cotton would have between 5 to 7 fruiting branches during the third week of bloom. Include branches with missing fruit if you have a boll or flower above it. This also gives you a chance of determining if you have boll damage from bugs. I have been referencing the planting date as a way of determining this, but that should only be a guide on where to look because blooming is also impacted by Pix, varieties, rainfall, soil type, and nitrogen. The bottom line is our cotton is at the peak of vulnerability once it has 5 or more nodes with bolls and blooms. This high vulnerability lasts for about 3 to 4 weeks. Based on my looking this week, we have fields at this stage right now, and by next week, I would project close to half of our cotton will reach this third week of bloom stage, or maybe more important, the protection phase of cotton production, or the defense needs to be implemented by killing stinkbugs and plant bugs and assessing the worm risks based on variety. The other half of our cotton seems to be spread from just being about a week behind to where some is not blooming yet. That latest cotton is in the intensive pix management stage. Keep in mind that the longer cotton blooms and the higher the blooms get, then then pix importance declines DISCLAIMER: The data contained herein is for informational, conversational, and philosophical thinking and is for general purposes only. Ideas expressed apply to the Upper Southeast growing region. Although the information was obtained from various sources, which we believe to be reliable, we do not in any way guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Comments are influenced by past experiences, personal bias and hypothetical speculation by the writer and are not always accurate predictors of future events. Specific references to Agricultural Products and Rates are used for examples and do not reflect specific endorsement or recommendations for use. Always read and follow all label directions and precautions for use. We disclaim any responsibility for any errors or omissions contained herein. FULL DISCLOSURE: There is no compensation received by Johnny to promote any product referenced with in this blog. Johnny is a paid employee of Commonwealth Gin
