Tag: Watermelon
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South Carolina Field Update (May 4, 2026): Finally, Some Rain!
We finally received significant rainfall late last week and over the weekend. Monitor disease carefully as more rain is forecast for mid-week. Early peach varieties are coming into harvest, as strawberry and blueberry harvests continue. Key Takeaways for Growers This Week The latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast is available now. Lowcountry Report…
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South Carolina Field Update (April 27, 2026): Upstate Receives Some Rain As the Midlands and Lowcountry Remain Dry
The Upstate received some rain over the weekend, while nothing much materialized in the Midlands or along the coast. With cooler temperatures and more chances for rain this week, we’ll be keeping a close watch on disease pressure. Insect pests, including scale, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetles, and mites, are causing problems in some areas.…
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South Carolina Field Update (April 20, 2026): Near-Record Heat Brings Sun Scalding Issues In Strawberries
As strawberry harvest is in full swing, sunscald has appeared on berries across the state. Issues with powdery mildew and spider mites are also still active. While we are all anxiously awaiting the rain forecast for this weekend, remember that rain can easily damage ripening strawberries. Be ready to sanitize fields. Check out this recent…
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South Carolina Field Update (April 13, 2026): Insects Are Up, Disease Is Down As Drought Continues
Dry, dusty conditions continue as near-record heat sets in this week. Though overall disease pressure is low, powdery mildew is appearing in multiple crops. The weather conditions are allowing insects and mites to thrive. Clemson Extension agents have been working hard the past year writing a cut flower manual. The new manual will be available…
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South Carolina Field Update (April 6, 2026): Crops Look Good So Long As the Irrigation is Running
Despite the forecast for a stormy Easter, most of the state remains dry after receiving very little rain. Strawberry picking is wide open in the Lowcountry and Midlands and is beginning in the Upstate. Disease remains low, though some dry-weather-related insect and mite problems are emerging. Key Takeaways for Growers This Week The latest episode…
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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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Weekly Field Update – 8/4/25
Temperatures have cooled down nicely and rain is plentiful. Planting for fall crops continues around the state. The weather is perfect for disease development including downy mildew, Southern blight, and anthracnose. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss any of our winter/spring meetings. Also, check out…
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Weekly Field Update – 7/28/25
Well, its hot. Parts of the state received rain this past week, while others have been dry for most of the month. Some growers are applying kaolin products to reduce sunscald on developing fruit. Fall crops are beginning to go into the ground. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically…
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Why Reusing Watermelon Plastic for Watermelon is a Very Bad Idea and Other Plant Pathology Horror Stories
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath Extension agents have recently received some questions from growers about reusing plastic from a spring watermelon crop for a fall watermelon crop. This scenario is what I call a classic plant pathology “horror story.” It is literally the worst thing a watermelon, cantaloupe, or cucumber grower could do for…
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Weekly Field Update – 7/21/25
Another hot, humid week has passed. Growers are prepping fields for fall crops, and some planting has begun. As dry weather has set in, mites are becoming a problem in places. Disease pressure remains high in a variety of crops. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t…
The South Carolina Grower 