Squash is still being picked with good quality and quantity with anthracnose being present at greater frequency. Mosaic virus has also been more prevalent.
Clemson Cooperative Extension
SC Grower Exchange Podcast | Cucurbit Downy Mildew
The June 30 episode of The SC Grower Exchange podcast features CucCAP plant pathologist Dr. Anthony Keinath as he discusses downy mildew in cucurbits and other vegetables.
Clemson field updates | June 26, 2023
Summer squash is being harvested. Growers are seeing some internal ripening issues in squash and agents suspect it to be a seed issue. Squash vine borers have started showing up in spots. Foliar diseases such as gummy stem blight in cucurbits are beginning to take off,.
S.C. Field Update | June 19, 2023
Squash, cucumbers zucchini are all coming to market. Watermelons and Cantaloupe will be following very soon. Downy mildew is active in all cucurbits. Rotating materials is crucial to prevent resistance. Gummy stem blight is also very active in cucurbits.
Clemson crop updates
Squash are being harvested. Yield looks great, as is quality, with little to no issues in plant health. Cucumbers are still faring well with the cooler nights. Downy mildew is definitely a concern. Cucumber beetles have reared their ugly heads, and damage has been reported on the fruit. Watermelons are not as far along in the Midlands or lower Pee Dee as in the coastal regions, but fruits are sizing up nicely with vines lapping the rows. Powdery mildew is being found on multiple Upstate farms on cucumber, cantaloupe, squash and zucchini.
Cucurbit Downy Mildew identified in S.C.
According to the South Carolina Grower, cucurbit downy mildew was identified in South Carolina on May 12. The identification came from butternut squash grown in a sentinel plot at the Coastal Research and Education Center in Charleston, South Carolina.
SC Grower Weekly Report | May 15, 2023
In the Coastal region, squash, and cukes continue to be harvested in heavy volumes.
In the Midlands, squash are fairing well with a few squash bugs here and there. The biggest problem so far has been wind damage and breakage.
In the Pee Dee region, Summer crops (peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, squash, sweet corn, etc.) are growing well and are still being planted heavily.
South Carolina crop updates | April 2023
In the S.C. coastal region, cantaloupes from seed and watermelon transplants have benefited from recent rain. Early planted watermelons, planted under plastic covers, have had covers removed and are approaching vine run. Managing gummy stem blight and preventing bacterial fruit blotch are critical now. In the Lowcountry, cooler weather will slow down early spring crops including cucurbits.
