Cotton Again

19 years ago

Hey Folks, When St. Pete Times had a long article in 11 Aug paper on growing cotton, I got all enthused about growing the stuff! EXCEPT THAT WE GARDENERS CANNOT LEGALLY GROW COTTON IN FLORIDA! REALLY! IF WE'RE CAUGHT, WE ARE GIVEN 10 DAYS TO ERADICATE IT OR BE SUBJECT TO A (HUGE) FINE!

Don't believe me! Go to www.doacs.state.fl.us and search for Chapter 5B. Once you've downloaded the pdf file, go nearly to the bottom of the 122 page report and look for 5B-52.007 2) "Noncommercial cotton shall not be produced in the eradication zone except by written authorization issued by the division director for research purposes." 5B-52.006 states that the entire state of Florida is an Eradication Zone!

These guys take away all our fun! Wonder if we can grow poppies?

plastechie

Anyway, thanks to all who sent seeds! I'm gonna plant'em anyway!!!!!!!!

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Comments (6)

naplesgardener
19 years ago
I am a criminal..
Seriously though I would remove my plants if I thought I was endangering the livelihood of cotton farmers and their workers through harboring pests and diseases.
From my reading of cotton cultivation it seems like they are doing more harm by using massive amounts of pesticides and non-organic fertilizers.
I'd appreciate hearing both sides of the story if anyone has more information to support not growing it at home.
mistiaggie
19 years ago
Isn't there a native cotton that is endangered? Ooh we should get rid of that too.

And I do believe it's illegal to have Brazillian peper and Melaleuca and others too. So, can we please fine everyone who has those?
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treefrog_fl
19 years ago
No cotton farmers here in south FLA to my knowledge.
goldenpond
19 years ago
I remember aways back someone wrote an article naming the plants in someone in St Lucie County's garden. Then an article appeared stating that the next day someone showed up and made her remove her cotton.
I bought my cotton plants last year from Maple Street Natives in Brevard and mentioned it to the owner. She said she had no such knowledge of that law.
As a Master Gardener I have shown my garden and photos to many people including those working at the extension office in my County and no one has shown up to remove them. I wonder if the law went by the wayside like removing diseased Citrus trees did.
Just so you know on the literature I got from the Sr Forestor it states that selling trading and propagating Melaleuca,Brazilion Peppers and Australian Pines is a second degree misdemeanor.Still I see people transplanting their Australian Pines! Not enough Plant Police I guess!
countrynest
19 years ago
That's the straw! Folks I'll meet you at Tampa bay.
I suggest we all take our plastic bags of cottons dump them into the bay and start growing our own cotton.
Our freedom to do... has been limited so much. It seems that everyone has to stick their nose into everyone else affairs.
I'm not a conformist.
plastechie, good for you plant 'em. We'll demonstrate for your release.
naplesgardener, I agree with your statement. We must be responsible and educate ourselves.
(dispose of plastic bags wisely do not throw into the bay)
Felix
mistiaggie
19 years ago
What about getting rid of our bromeliad's for fear of the Mexican bromeliad weevil?? Woooo...