Color growing cotton
History
Color growing cotton is believed to originate from South America and Peru. In Peru, this kind of cotton has been used for over 4000 years, when manufacturing clothes. It grows mainly in bushes of the jungle in the northeast of Peru. Peruvians have grown and selected the seeds of the finest colors and refined them.
Propertiea
'Color growing cotton is a cotton variety that is naturally colored when on the bush. The colors vary in shades of brown, red and green. Color growing cotton has very short fibers, making it difficult to apply in modern textile production. It's a big reason why the white cotton has become so popular. In comparison to the cultivated white cotton the color growing cotton is far less susceptible to attack by insects and pests. The brown cotton has good fire resistance properties.
Environmental Benefits
- The cotton is naturally colored, making the need of any chemical processes such as dyeing or bleaching useless. The use of chemicals is reduced.
- The color deepens when exposed to sunlight.
- Suitable for people who are sensitive to chemically dyed fabrics.
- Organically grown
Research
The American Sally Fox has since the 1980s, conducted research in the field of color growing cotton. She has invented a color growing cotton variety, Foxfibre, suitable for industrial production in large volumes.
Sources
- http://www.eartheasy.com/wear_orgcot_clo.htm
- Bergman, Stephan (1995), The white treasure, Verner Frang AB, (ISBN 91-630-3302-X)
