Author: Justin Ballew
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Cucurbit Disease Update for Mid-May 2025 (Downy Mildew Found in SC)
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath Despite relatively dry conditions this spring, two foliar diseases have shown up on cucurbits in different parts of South Carolina. Gummy stem blight was found on watermelon in the Central Savannah River Area, and downy mildew was found on cucumbers at Coastal REC. Five of 23 watermelon samples (that’s…
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Question of the Week – Sclerotia
What are the black structures developing inside the stem of this dying bupleurum? These black structures are sclerotia, which are signs of the disease sclerotinia stem rot, and resting structures for the pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Sclerotia are hardened masses of mycelia, which enable the fungus to survive environmental stresses, such as a lack of a suitable…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/19/25
The state warmed up and dried out over the couse of the past week. Disease is showing up in places as a result of all the moisture as well as mechanical damage to plants. Harvest is near for blueberries, blackberries, cucurbits, tomatoes, and peppers. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab…
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May Grower Spotlight – Gurosik Berry Plantation
Where is Sarah and her family picking strawberries this week? In this month’s grower spotlight, Ophelia is filling her bucket with tasty strawberries from Gurosik’s Berry Plantation in North Augusta, SC. Clyde and Marilyn Gurosik started with a small u-pick field in 1981 and have grown their operation from there. On the 100-acre farm, you…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/12/25
South Carolina is soaking wet right now after Sunday and Monday morning rain. This will bring an end to the strawberry season for some growers. Disease potential is expected to be high over the next week as temperatures warm. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss…
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Question of the Week – Whiteflies
What is on the underside of this kale leaf? These white-colored, oval-shaped things are the immature stages of whiteflies. Whiteflies are an occasional pest of brassica crops. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts used to suck sap from their host plant. Feeding from large populations may slow plant growth and leave deposits of “honeydew” (excreted as they…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/5/25
Thunderstoms swept through parts of the state last week, bringing hail in some places. The coast remains dry. Root rot diseases are becoming more common in strawberries as harvest continues. Spider mites are getting out of control under high tunnels. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t…
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Question of the Week – Thinning Peaches
What is this piece of equipment used for? This is piece of equipment is used for shaking excess fruit off of peach trees. This year, the peach crop is plentiful, which can make it time consuming to thin only by hand. Some growers use these tree shakers to aid in removing some of the fruit…
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Weekly Field Update – 4/28/25
Most of the state welcomed some rain last week while parts of the coast remain dry. Crops are progressing well, though folks will need to beware of disease this week following the moisture. Mite and insect pressure has been climbing. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t…
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Time to Think About Cucumber Beetles
From Tom Bilbo, Extension Entomologist As the weather warms up and our summer vegetable crops get going, it’s time to be on the lookout for cucumber beetles in our various cucurbit crops. There are three species that we see in South Carolina: banded, spotted, and striped cucumber beetles, with the latter two being more problematic…
The South Carolina Grower 