In cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), it is hard to determine the exact date when reproductive growth ceases on the basis of field observations, as compared to more visible factors such as the onset of flowering or boll opening. It is, however, essential to characterize the growth cycle in order to determine what varieties are suitable for planting in different climatic and local cropping conditions. We estimated the end of the effective flowering period on the basis of the opening date of the last flower giving rise to a first-position boll on fruiting branches (LFP1), and propose a simple method for estimating this date. This study, conducted in 2002 and 2003 at Okpara, Benin, involved a comparison of six cotton varieties planted at two different dates (June and July). Plants were monitored to determine the dates when flowers opened at each position on fruiting branches. The LFP1 indicator made a clear distinction between varieties. This highly heritable trait, which was found to be closely correlated with other earliness criteria, could be used to characterize the length of the growth cycle in cotton varieties.