LATEST POSTS
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Weekly Field Update – 8/4/25
Temperatures have cooled down nicely and rain is plentiful. Planting for fall crops continues around the state. The weather is perfect for disease development including downy mildew, Southern blight, and anthracnose. 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…
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Question of the Week – Pickleworm
What is going on with this cucumber? The hole and gelatinous material are clear evidence that the cucumber was recently attacked by a pickleworm. Pickleworms are caterpillars and the larva of pickleworm moths (Diaphania nitidalis). They feed on the flower buds and fruits of cucurbit crops including cucumbers, squash, zucchini, and melons. The young caterpillars…
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2024 FarmGate Data Now Available
South Carolina specialty crop stats from the 2024 season are now available on the Clemson Extension FarmGate page. Crop data collected in 2024 includes apples, bell peppers, cabbage, cut flowers, Irish potatoes, kale muscadines, okra, pecans, pumpkins and winter squash, specialty peppers, sweetpotatoes, turnips, and yellow squash. Here is a glance at the top specialty…
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Weekly Field Update – 7/28/25
Well, its hot. Parts of the state received rain this past week, while others have been dry for most of the month. Some growers are applying kaolin products to reduce sunscald on developing fruit. Fall crops are beginning to go into the ground. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically…
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Question of the Week – Armillaria Root Rot
What is developing at the base of this peach tree? The picture illustrates the fruiting bodies of the Armillaria root rot fungus, which is often a good sign of the disease. Armillaria root rot, also referred to as oak root rot, is caused by the pathogen Desarmillaria caespitosa in the Southeast. The symptoms of armillaria…
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Why Reusing Watermelon Plastic for Watermelon is a Very Bad Idea and Other Plant Pathology Horror Stories
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath Extension agents have recently received some questions from growers about reusing plastic from a spring watermelon crop for a fall watermelon crop. This scenario is what I call a classic plant pathology “horror story.” It is literally the worst thing a watermelon, cantaloupe, or cucumber grower could do for…
The South Carolina Grower 