Author: Justin Ballew
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Question of the Week – Cold Damage
This week, the question was: What is wrong with the leaves of this citrus tree? These leaves are showing symptoms of cold injury. This tree is part of a study at the Sandhill REC in Columbia looking at 9 varieties of citrus that are believed to have improved cold tolerance. So far this winter, we…
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Weekly Field Update – 1/29/24
We have lots of meetings coming up over the next few months, so be sure to keep a close eye on the Upcoming Events tab so you don’t miss anything. As you prepare for the 2024 season, take a look at this article from agribusiness agent Kevin Burkett about being mindful of overhead expenses. Don’t…
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Question of the Week – Jelly Fungus
This week, the question was: What is the dark-colored thing growing on this branch? This is a jelly fungus. Jelly fungi are usually found growing on dead or dying branches. Jelly fungi often swell when there is plenty of moisture in the air (pictured) and shrink when the air is dry. Lichen (the light greenish-grey,…
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Fungicide Sensitivity of Cucurbit Powdery Mildew in Charleston, SC
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath A fall fungicide sensitivity bioassay was done in October 2023, to find out which fungicides are most effective against powdery mildew on squash, watermelon, and other cucurbits. Methods: ‘Early Prolific’ yellow summer squash plants with three true leaves were treated with fungicides, water, or not treated. The following day,…
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Weekly Field Update – 1/22/24
Happy 2024! We’re back and ready for another great year of growing fruit and veggies! We hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. We have lots of meetings coming up over the next few months, so be sure to keep a close eye on the Upcoming Events tab so you don’t miss anything.…
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Question of the Week – Asian Persimmon
This week, the question was: What is this fruit that was harvested in Charleston this past week? These are Asian persimmons. There are many Asian varieties of persimmons that are typically much larger than our native persimmons. A few varieties of Asian persimmon that lack seeds and are also non-astringent. This means that the persimmons…
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Weekly Field Update – 12/4/23
Today’s update will be our final update of 2023. With things slowing down in the field, we will take some time to focus on other projects, and the Weekly Field Updates will resume in January. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season, and we’ll see you back in 2024! Check out upcoming…
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Question of the Week – Swinecress
This week, the question was: What is this weed that was found coming up in a mustard field? This is a cool-season weed called swinecress (Coronopus didymus). As a seedling, swinecress grows in a rosette, as seen here. As it matures and and begins to flower, it takes on a more spreading form. Tiny, white…
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Weekly Field Update – 11/27/23
We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Check out upcoming meetings on the Upcoming Events tab, and don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast. Be sure to scroll all the way to…
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Question of the Week – Wireworm Damage
This week, the question was: What’s wrong with this sweetpotato that was found in a grocery store? While picking out the ingredients for my Thanksgiving sweetpotato cassarole, I found this sweetpotato full of holes. The holes are tell-tale signs of wireworm feeding. Wireworms are the soil-dwelling larvae of click beetles (Family: Elateridae). There are at…
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