7/11 – Watermelon Field Day – Edisto REC, 64 Research St, Blackville, SC 29817 – 8:00 am-2:00 pm – RSVP to gmllr@clemson.edu
South Carolina watermelons
South Carolina Grower Update | July 8, 2024
Cucurbit crops finished quickly this year due to the heat and high levels of gummy stem blight. As the temperatures continue to rise, conditions are prime for many vegetable diseases. Lowcountry growers are seeing sunburned melons. It will be important to be vigilant for downy mildew and powdery mildew on pumpkins that just went into the ground last week.
South Carolina Grower Update | July 1, 2024
Watermelons continue to be harvested, but vine quality is on a sharp decline attributed to higher levels of gummy stem blight and other environmental factors. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum species) is present on the foliage of cucurbits
SC Grower Exchange Podcast
In this podcast, Professor of Plant Pathology Research and Extension Vegetable Pathologist, Dr. Anthony Keinath discusses recent observations and tips for dealing with fusarium wilt, specifically in watermelons.
South Carolina Grower Update | June 3, 2024
Tony Keinath, Extension Plant Pathologist reported that powdery mildew was found this week on watermelons at the Edisto Research and Education center.
South Carolina Grower Update | April 15, 2024
Watermelons and cantaloupes are still being planted. Over the past few weeks there have been a few days of heavy rain events and windy weather has put some growers behind schedule. Soil temperature is still cool due to the inconsistent weather patterns we are having, which means fusarium wilt is still active, and a potential threat to watermelons.
2023 Watermelon trial for Fusarium resistance
Delaying transplanting until the soil has warmed to about 81 degrees at a 4-inch depth can reduce the number of plants with Fusarium wilt.
Eleanor and Fascination are partially resistant cultivars that have been shown to perform better when Fusarium wilt is present. But grafting is more effective…and more expensive
SC Grower weekly report | July 17, 2023
In the Midlands, pythium and gummy stem blight have been reported on cucumber. Anthracnose and mosaic virus have been reported on squash. Downy mildew is beginning to appear on pickling cucumbers. Gummy stem blight control has worked well on watermelons which are being harvested. In the Pee Dee region, watermelons and cantaloupe are showing some Pythium on young fruits. In the Coastal region, all cucurbit crops have been harvested. Visit the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast.
