What’s Next? Management Tips for North Florida Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Watermelon plants are in the ground throughout North Florida. Growers are now tasked with ensuring their plants are protected and cared for over the next couple of months. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provides some management tips for producers. “We want to …

Powdery Mildew Disease Resistance Concerning for Florida Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers should be cautious about powdery mildew disease heading into the upcoming season. Its potential resistance to fungicide applications has industry experts like Nick Dufalt wary with the start of the season just a couple of months away. Dufalt, a plant pathologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, talked …

North Florida Watermelon Producers Should Guard Against Powdery Mildew

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By Clint Thompson Even in the driest weather conditions, one disease can still torment watermelon producers. Powdery mildew is on the mind of Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, and should be at the forefront of Northeast Florida growers’ management strategies. He cautions growers to apply …

North Florida Watermelon Producers Advised to Implement Daily Irrigation Practices

Web AdminBest Management Practices, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period covering most of Florida is impacting North Florida watermelons. While producers prefer drier weather, they need to ensure their crop is receiving adequate moisture. Growers need to be more diligent in making sure fields are saturated with multiple irrigation events per day while the drought persists, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute …

North Florida Watermelon Producers Should Implement Multiple Irrigation Events Daily

Web AdminFlorida, Irrigation, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period covering most of Florida is impacting North Florida watermelons. While producers prefer drier weather, they need to ensure their crop is receiving adequate moisture. Growers need to be more diligent in making sure fields are saturated with multiple irrigation events per day while the drought persists, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida …

Plant Bug Alert for North Florida Watermelon Producers

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By Clint Thompson Plant bugs are making their way into some watermelon fields in the North Florida region. Producers need to take action to avoid having a small population explode into a much larger one, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “There’s spots where we’re …

North Florida Watermelon Producers: Manage Plant Bugs Now

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By Clint Thompson Plant bugs are making their way into some watermelon fields in the North Florida region. Producers need to take action to avoid having a small population explode into a much larger one, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “There’s spots where …

Irrigation Tips for North Florida Watermelon Producers

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By Clint Thompson Irrigation management is essential in North Florida watermelon plants especially if the current dry period continues in the region. But producers should be wary about how much water they apply this early in the season, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. …

Florida Watermelon Producers Could Start Planting This Week

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By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are expected to start planting this week in the Suwanee Valley area. Warmer temperatures and the potential for high market prices early in the season are enticing growers to go ahead and start planting earlier than normal, said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent …

North Florida Watermelon Producers Could Start Planting This Week

Web AdminWatermelon

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are expected to start planting this week in the Suwanee Valley area. Warmer temperatures and the potential for high market prices early in the season are enticing growers to go ahead and start planting earlier than normal, said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension …