Minimal Disease Pressure in North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson There is minimal disease pressure in watermelons across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. With dry weather conditions expected in the near future, risk of new infections of bacterial or fungal diseases is currently low, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth noted in his weekly email what watermelon …

Hail Damage in Some North Florida Watermelon Fields

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon crop sustained some damage from storms last Friday evening. There was minimal impact across the region, though some fields experienced hail damage, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. He reported in his weekly email that growers with heavy …

Downy Mildew Confirmed in North Florida, South Georgia Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Downy mildew disease has been confirmed in a North Florida watermelon field, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Not only that, it was also confirmed in South Georgia as well. But growers must consider all the facts before responding to the breaking news. Hochmuth …

Points to Consider for North Florida Watermelon Growers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

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 …

Increased Watermelon Acres Expected in Georgia

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia watermelon acreage is expected to increase this year. A key reason why is the current pricing struggles besetting the state’s row crop producers. Jordan Carter, director of sales and marketing with Leger & Son, Inc. in Cordele, Georgia, provided an outlook for what the industry looks like this year, with plantings expected to conclude this week …

Combine Mancozeb and Copper in North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers must avoid applying copper with chlorothalonil when protecting against disease buildup. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, emphasized this stance early in the season and continues to stress its importance as it could lead to plant burning. “If they’re …

Watermelon Replant? North Florida Producers Must Consider Options Following Wind Damage

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A common theme so far this spring for North Florida watermelon producers has been damage to plants from wind and sandblasting. It might force some growers to consider their replanting options, says Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “If you keep on getting sandblasted, the first thing that happens is those outer …

Rye’s Benefits as Windbreak for North Florida’s Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) continues to spout the benefits of rye as a windbreak in watermelon fields in the Suwanee Valley. Their value has been undisputable this year, says Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. He noted in a recent email to Florida growers that rye can protect …

UF/IFAS Cautions Watermelon Growers About Copper Applications

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Frost and wind damage have been common occurrences across North Florida watermelon fields early in the growing season. Producers may be inclined to protect their crop in the Suwanee Valley from disease buildup by making copper applications. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, cautions growers against such a strategy this early in …

Rainfall in Suwanee Valley Had Minimal Impact on Watermelon Plantings

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A substantial amount of rainfall that impacted North Florida last weekend should have minimal impact on watermelon acreage being planted in the Suwanee Valley. That’s mostly because the majority of acres have already been planted, says Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I think in the last 10 days, we’ve probably gotten …