Author: Justin Ballew
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Weekly Field Update – 7/18/22
Check out Clemson Extension’s new weather data website! Last week, state weather station technician Christopher Thomas introduced the new site at the Watermelon Field Day at the Edisto REC. Christopher has been working hard installing weather stations in all 46 counties of South Carolina over the last year. Eventually, the site will be able to…
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Question of the Week – Sulphur Butterfly Chrysalis
This week, the question was: What is the pinkish-colored thing attached to this tomato stem? This is the chrysalis of a sulphur butterfly, most likely the cloudless sulphur (Pheobis sennae). The cloudless sulphur is a common butterfly in South Carolina seen frequently foraging wildflowers. The caterpillars feed on legume plants, specifically within the Chamaecrista and Senna genera.…
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Weekly Field Update – 7/11/22
Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath has a new article featured in the American Vegetable Grower. Click here to read about “Why Disease Control is More Challenging on Leafy Greens.” Don’t forget about the Watermelon Field Day coming up this Thursday (7/14) at the Edisto Research Center (64 Research Rd.) in Blackville from 8am-1pm. Registration opens…
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It’s Time to Spray Asparagus for Purple Spot
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath. Last October, purple spot was found on asparagus ferns in South Carolina. Information about the disease can be found in this excellent fact sheet from Oklahoma State. Because of the 6-month pre-harvest interval for fungicides sprayed on asparagus, it’s time for asparagus growers to scout their fields or make…
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Question of the Week – Paper Wasp
This week, the question was: What is going on here? A friendly game of tag? This sulphur butterfly caterpillar probably wishes this was just a game of tag, but this predaceous paper wasp is going to use it to feed its larvae. Paper wasps are common insects in the garden and around structures, where they…
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Weekly Field Update – 7/5/22
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 Rob Last reports, “Disease pressure is likely to continue to increase given the recent welcome rainfall. Gummy stem blight can be found in cucurbit fields along with…
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Question of the Week – Turmeric
This week, the question was: What is this crop being grown on John’s Island, SC? This is turmeric. This plant is grown for its swollen roots (rhizomes) which will be dug and harvested in the fall. Turmeric is a close relative of ginger that is a traditionally popular ingredient in Asian, African, and Caribbean dishes.…
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Biopesticides (Seem to) Perform Poorly Against Black Spot on Kale
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath. As part of a USDA Organic Transitions Program grant, we tested 10 biopesticides on organic kale ‘Oldenbor’ to see if any product controlled Alternaria leaf spot, a.k.a. black spot. Unfortunately, none look promising as no biopesticides reduced black spot compared to the nontreated control based on repeated greenhouse trials…
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Weekly Field Update – 6/27/22
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 Zack Snipes reports, “It is hot and very, very dry in the Lowcountry. We desperately need some rain on the coast. Many irrigation ponds are at very…
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Charcoal Rot Showing Up in Cantaloupe
From Clemson Extension Agent Rob Last and Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath. Charcoal rot was identified in a cantaloupe crop in South Carolina this week. The fungus responsible for the disease is Macrophomina phaseolina, a soil-borne fungus that survives as microsclerotia. The fungus affects more than 800 host plants. These range from corn and soybean to…
The South Carolina Grower 