Virginia:

Summertime Conditions

By Johnny Parker, Agronomist

Commonwealth Gin, Windsor, Virginia

May 27, 2008 - The weather forecast indicates that we are in store for some summer like conditions by the end of this week after a cool day on Wednesday.  Temperatures in the 90’s are expected this weekend along with overnight lows that will stay well into the 60’s. 

While cotton is generally looking fairly good, it has been developing slowly.  Most of the cotton that was planted during the early part of May is just beginning to develop some true leaves.  All of this will change quickly over the next 10 days.  With these hot temperatures moving in, cotton will develop a new true leaf about every 3 to 4 days. 

The primary focus this week should be to get the early planted cotton sprayed for thrips.  Both Temik and the seed treatments seem to be working well this year, however it looks like I am seeing some damage on the second true leaf.  It appears that the recommendation to apply Orthene at the first true leaf stage provides the best opportunity to keep thrips damage at a minimum.  We should be at the 4 to 5 leaf stage on the earliest planted cotton around June 6th.