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 Field Update – 4/15/24
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.
Clemson Crop Updates | July 5, 2023
Squash is still being picked with good quality and quantity with anthracnose being present at greater frequency. Mosaic virus has also been more prevalent.
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.
Powdery Mildew on Watermelon in SC
CucCAP Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath found Powdery Mildew on seedless watermelon at the Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center (REC) on Tuesday, May 23.
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.
