Though more rain fell last week, warm temperatures returned. Fall planting continues and establishment is going well. Disease pressure remains high as regular rain continues. See details below.
Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss any of our winter/spring meetings. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast below.
Don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see this week’s Question of the Week, and check back on Thursday for the answer.
Coastal Region
Anna Sara Hill
- After a week’s reprieve from the high heat index, the heat and humidity crept back up this past week, accompanied by afternoon showers.
- A few fields of fall watermelons have been planted over the past six weeks and are in various stages of development.
- In one field, a few of the watermelons exhibited some viral symptoms. The presence of insect vectors was not detected or identified in the field. It is possible the virus came from nursery stock. Irrigation, fertigation, and timely pesticide treatments will be necessary to keep the field healthy and ensure a good harvest.
- Another field of younger vines has been plagued with striped cucumber beetles since a few days after planting. A rotation of Venom, Assail, and Warrior seemed to clear them up. Striped cucumber beetles are prevalent in the fall and can transfer bacterial wilt to plants, so it is essential to stay vigilant and treat when populations are detected. Reducing the adult population at the beginning of the season will reduce larvae populations that can feed on melons later in the season.
Midlands
Rob Last
- Another hot, humid week here in the Midlands with plenty of rainfall. As we look forward through the week, temperatures remain high with rainfall returning towards the weekend.
- Fall solanaceous and cucurbit crops are establishing well.
- Fall brassicas are beginning to go into the ground.
- Muscadines are looking great, with a few sites thinking of opening in the next couple of weeks for U-pick.
- Keep scouting crops carefully; anthracnose is active in some crops as discussed last week.
- Given the frequency and intensity of rainfall and potential rainsplash, monitor crops for bacterial infections.
- Root rots are also a risk in some of the heavier soils around Lake Murray.
- If you are thinking about fumigation for fall crops, then now can be a good chance to make sure your fumigant management plan is up to date.
Pee Dee
Christiana Huss
- Farmers are preparing their fields for planting collard greens. Timing has been difficult because of wet fields. Now is the time to make a weed control plan, whether that is using pre-emergent herbicides, mulch, or a combination of the two. The stale bed technique is recommended to get ahead of weeds, especially if mulch is not being used. Till and form beds 3-5 weeks before planting. Wait for weed seedlings to emerge and spray with herbicide 1 week before planting.
- With all the rain this summer, root rot diseases have been a very common problem. Fields with high numbers of nematodes are more susceptible to root rots because the nematodes injure the roots and leave an entry for disease. Fusarium root rot has been common and can occur in a variety of fruits and vegetables. There are no fungicides that will treat this root rot, but many vegetables like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and watermelons have resistant varieties available. Each strain of Fusarium is host-specific, meaning a 3-year crop rotation will significantly reduce disease.
Question of the Week
Why did this watermelon get so sunburned?
Answer in the comments below and check back on Thursday to see the answer.
The South Carolina Grower 