High Volume, Prices for Melon Growers Heading Into Fourth of July Weekend | VSCNews
July 2, 2021
Vegetable and specialty crop prices are down for most commodities, except watermelon. Watermelon prices were holding at about 20 cents per pound which was encouraging news for producers heading into the Fourth of July weekend.
What’s Up? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Crop Updates | VSCNews
July 7, 2021
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state.
Coastal updates include information about cucurbits
In the past week some melon fields were crown decline. Crown decline is characterized by a yellowing of the crown leaves which makes the plant look weak overall. The disease can be mistaken for nutrient deficiency. This disease is important to diagnose because yields can be reduced and fruit quality can be impaired at the middle-to-end of the season which can impact your bottom line. Read up on this disease and management options here. I am seeing some gummy stem blight and anthracnose in watermelon right now as well.
Elsa Effects: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates Following Tropical Storm | SC Grower
July 12, 2021
Vegetable and Specialty Crop News shared an update from the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state.
Coastal Field Update
“Crops are generally coming to market with good quality from cucurbits through corn, tomatoes and peppers. Be on your guard for foliar diseases, given the temperatures and humidity. There are a large number of diseases present from anthracnose, powdery and downy mildew and alternaria. Fungicide applications will help.to manage diseases applied in a timely manner.”
Plenty of disease such as powdery mildew of cucurbits here in the midlands. Photo from Justin Ballew.
Sour Ending for Watermelon Season | VSCNews
July 15, 2021
Alabama, Florida, and Georgia watermelon crop updates
Persistent rains, increased disease pressure and diminishing market prices have added up to a challenging couple of months for watermelon growers.Capping it off has been a rapid deterioration of the market.
