Approximately 45-60 days after planting, depending on temperature, the cotton begins to bloom. Cotton first produces a small square, which produces a white bloom. The white bloom turns pink after one day and then falls off as the bolls develop. Under normal weather patterns, an open boll ready for harvest is produced approximately 65 days after bloom. Top of Document Effects of Wind on Cotton Production Wind affects cotton plant growth, development and yield by modifying temperature and humidity gradients which in turn changes the evaporative demand.
Wind also produces a mechanical shaking action which is known to affect plant growth.
High winds, shortly after emergence, can produce moving particles of sand at the ground level which can literally cut the plant off at the soil surface. Research at Lubbock, showed that sheltering cotton from wind in a windy environment enhances growth during the early portion of the growing season. These results suggest that, in a climate where the winds are high, protection of the cotton plants from wind during the early season will result in higher yield. Management practices which afford protection of cotton should improve plant growth and yield. Management practices must be tailored to the particular farm and field.