North Florida watermelon growers should be wary of a few initial reports of squash bugs impacting fields in the Suwanee Valley. Most are arriving around the perimeter of the fields, noted Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, in his weekly email.
Most bugs were still individual adults, which indicates they are just now migrating from wooded areas outside the field perimeters. Growers should scout and detect them early.
“It is better to spray the borders earlier as they migrate in as opposed to having to spray the entire field, potentially killing many beneficials. The pyrethroids recommended for use on squash bugs are hard on pollinators,” noted in the email. “Nighttime spraying will be preferred.”
Early Season Petiole Sap Testing
Petiole sap testing has begun in a few fields, and a pattern has been observed in these fields. Potassium levels are consistently in the optimum range, and nitrogen is consistently high above the target range. UF/IFAS recommends growers get on the sap testing schedule with their local Extension agents, as this may be an excellent time to conserve on fertigation applications.
Mark Your Calendars
Two watermelon field days are set for the Suwanee Valley over the next couple of months. The Watermelon On-Farm/NFREC-SV Field Day will be Monday, May 5, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Adrian Land’s farm near Obrien, before moving to the NFREC-Suwanee Valley to see the research plots there.
The Union County Watermelon Field Day will be held on Wednesday, June 11 at 9 a.m. It will be co-planned by BASF and UF/IFAS and will be held at the Dukes Family Farm near Lake Butler.