Robert Lemon, an agronomist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, said the decision to replant is not an easy one, but must be made based on several factors. Optimum plant stands for cotton range from two to five plants per foot of row. Two plants sounds low, however, the cotton plant has an uncanny ability to adapt to its changing environment. Lemon said the rate of crop recovery will depend mainly on the level of damage to the stems and leaves.
Defoliated plants can survive if stem damage is minimal and the terminal growing is intact.
Any remaining viable leaf issue will increase chances for survival and hasten plant recovery. If the terminal is intact, but the stem below is severely bruised, those plants won't be productive. Lemon noted if the terminal is not intact, there is little chance of recovery. In making replant decisions, Lemon said it is best to wait three to four days before making judgement on the extent of crop damage. Cotton can make extraordinary recovery from bad situations, he noted.