A growth room study was initiated in 1992 to evaluate the recovery potential of cotton that experienced partial or complete defoliation. Treatments included removal of one or both cotyledonary leaves and in some cases the removal of true leaves as they appeared. Seedlings were sampled for a 33-day period at 3-day intervals. Removal of one cotyledon had little effect on seedling recovery regarding growth components evaluated. Removal of both cotyledons in conjunction with or without true leaf removal seemed to preclude complete recovery and total cotyledon and true leaf removal caused severe growth retardation from which recovery was impossible. The authors intend to extend this research into a comprehensive field and growth room study in hopes of developing a base for recommendations on replant decisions for cotton growers faced with partial or severe defoliation of early season cotton stands.