Tag: Question of the Week
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Question of the Week – Walnut Caterpillar
What kind of caterpillar is this that was found munching on the leaves of a pecan tree? These are walnut caterpillars (Datana ministra). Walnut caterpillars are native to the US and are common in the Southeast. Eggs are laid in masses and the larvae remain congregated throughout their juvenile stages. Though they bare a slight…
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Question of the Week – Indigo
What crop from South Carolina’s past is this growing near the coast? This is indigo (Indigofera tinctoria). Eliza Lucas-Pinckney was the first to successfully cultivate and commercialize indigo in America. Indigo became a significant economic driver during the late 1700s for much of the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Indigo was grown, and its leaves were processed…
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September Grower Spotlight – Jebali Farms
Where is Rob visiting this week? For this month’s grower spotlight, Rob is visiting Jebali Farms. Jebali Farms is nestled on 3 acres of land in the town of Lexington. The farm was started in 2013 by Azmi Jebali with the purpose of supplying his restaurant in Lexington, The Mediterranean Café, with fresh seasonal produce.…
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Question of the Week – Creeping Cucumber
What vine has covered the ground and is crawling up this tree? This vine is creeping cucumber (Melothria pendula). It’s in the cucurbit family, most closely related to cucumbers and melons, and native to the southeastern US and Mexico. The green, unripe fruit is generally considered safe to eat and tastes like a strong cucumber. However, the…
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Question of the Week – Corn Smut
What is Zack cooking this week? Corn smut (Ustilago maydis) is quite the unattractive name for a very delicious fungus. In my opinion, a more fitting and fancier name is given to the delicacy in Hispanic cultures—huitlacoche or Mexican truffle. The fungus overwinters in the soil and infects corn ears via the silk. The fungus then…
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Question of the Week – Yellow Watermelon
Why did this watermelon get so sunburned? This is no sunburn. It’s a watermelon with a yellow rind! At the recent Watermelon Field Day, we had the opportunity to look at and taste many new and existing lines of watermelons in the field. This one yellow-rind watermelon named Tropical Apollo caught my attention. At first…
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August Grower Spotlight – The Happy Berry
Where is Briana visiting this week? For this month’s Grower Spotlight, Briana is visiting a farm in the Upstate. The Happy Berry is nestled in the hills of Six Mile. The farm was started in 1979 with the goal of providing locally grown produce, while keeping the environment in mind. Walker Miller is the man…
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Question of the Week – Northern Mockingbird
What type of bird made its nest in this blackberry bush? This nest, and blue eggs with brown speckles, are that of the Northern mockingbird. Northern mockingbirds are the state birds of Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Their breeding range stretches from Southeast Canada, south to the Greater Antilles, and west to California. The species is…
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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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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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