But historically this is one of our wettest months, and September is relatively dry. The standard advice would be to delay planting as much as is feasible, then choose more from full-season varieties to help delay the opening of bolls until after Labor Day. But this plan raises a very legitimate concern. It is not clear-cut, and you can get bitten both ways. Also, Edmisten says it may be wise for growers to look for varieties that are more stormproof.
Some cottons hold lint tighter.
Some don't fall over as bad. And large-bolled varieties tend not to hold cotton as tight. Daryl Bowman, NC State crop scientist, has a different opinion. He points out that any variety can be managed so that it will open after Sept. 1. Population is a consideration also.