Author: Justin Ballew
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SC Grower Exchange-December Deep Dive: Vegetable Crop Breeding with Sandra Branham
In this last deep dive of 2024, Justin interviews Sandra Branham, vegetable breeder at the Coastal REC in Charleston. Listen in to hear about the projects that Sandra is working on and why breeding is important to the vegetable industry. Also, listen for Sandra’s favorite and least favorite crops to work on! While you’re at…
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Question of the Week – Lacewing Larva
What is this little critter? This is a lacewing larva, often called a trash bug or garbage bug. They collect insect molts, dead insects, bits of leaf debris, bark, lichens, spider webs, and other material from their environment. The material is woven and tied into a hemispherical mass and carried on their backs. The larvae…
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Weekly Field Update – 12/2/24
We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We finally got some frosts and freezes around the state this past weekend. Fall brassicas are still looking great while cucurbits are officially done. Strawberries are a mixed bag around the state. This will be our last update of 2024. It’s been a challenging year, but we hope…
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Question of the Week – Pomelo
What is this giant fruit at the SE Citrus Expo? Our good friend, Blake Brown, is holding a pomelo (Citrus maxima), which is the largest cultivated type of citrus. At the 2024 Southeast Citrus Expo in Charleston last weekend, Madison Citrus Nursery brought hundreds of species of citrus for attendees to marvel over and taste…
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Weekly Field Update – 11/25/24
The weather has been favorable for fall crop development and greens grown for Thanksgiving are looking great. Some insect and disease issue persist, but have been manageable. Strawberries are variable going into the winter. See details below. Happy Thanksgiving! Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check…
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Question of the Week – Spined Soldier Bug
What is happening to this caterpillar? This caterpillar is being preyed on by a spined soldier bug(Podisus maculiventris). Spined soldier bugs are a beneficial species of stink bug. They are excellent predators of over 90 species of pest insects, including many common caterpillar and beetle pests. Spined soldier bugs can be identified by their pointed…
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Weekly Field Update – 11/18/24
Most of the state received a little more rain this past week. Strawberries are looking good those there are some scattered disease issues. Fall brassicas are looking great and are being harvested now. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check out the latest…
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Question of the Week – Virus
What caused the green patterns and discoloration on this pumpkin? The circular patterns and discoloration on this pumpkin are the result of a viral infection. Viruses are common in fall cucurbit crops in South Carolina. Most cucurbit viruses are transmitted by aphids, though one, squash mosaic virus, is transmitted by cucumber beetles. Viruses commonly cause…
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Weekly Field Update – 11/11/24
We finally got some rain this past week. Fall crops are coming along nicely with scattered insect and disease issues. Neopest is showing up in strawberries as plants contiue to establish. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check out the latest episode of…
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Question of the Week – Luffa Gourd
What crop is this? This is a luffa gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca). A similar species, (Luffa acutangula) is sometimes also called Chinese okra because of its okra-like shape and pronounced ribbing of its fruit. Both are members of the cucurbit family. Luffas may be harvested for eating while still tender, though the species pictured is very…
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