By Clint Thompson The intense summer heat is taking a toll on South Georgia watermelons; so much so that the crop appears to be in its final days of harvest this year, believes Greg Leger, owner of Leger & Son, Inc. “There’s a couple of late fields around that we’ve just been into one time and starting a second time, …
Blueprint for Success? North Florida Melon Growers Capitalize on Early Planting Window
By Clint Thompson North Florida’s blueprint for success with regards to watermelon production may have been laid out this year. Growers started earlier, overcame a pair of freeze events and capitalized on the early market. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, believes that will be the …
After Harvest Season: Crop Termination in Watermelon Could Help with Fusarium Wilt
By Clint Thompson What is the value of North Florida watermelon growers terminating their crop chemically when harvesting is done for the season? It could prevent further buildup of a specific pathogen, nematodes or even whitefly-vectored viruses. Producers in the Suwanee Valley Region should consider the practice, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …
Watermelons Needed: Contest To Be Held in Conjunction with Panhandle Watermelon Festival
Attention commercial watermelon growers and gardeners in Florida, Alabama and Georgia:It is almost time to enter your finest melons in the Big Melon Contest at the Panhandle Watermelon Festival. The festival and the contest have been summer-time staples in the Central Panhandle for decades. Growers should not miss their opportunity to showcase the delicious product of their hard work with …
North Florida Watermelon Growers Hoping to Overcome Various Diseases
By Clint Thompson The final watermelon harvests in North Florida have growers combatting a plethora of diseases. Those attempting to stretch another picking from their fields this week will have to overcome any number of diseases. These include downy mildew, powdery mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, gummy stem blight and watermelon mosaic. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and …
North Florida Watermelon Growers Finishing Season
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s delayed start to the watermelon season is North Florida’s gain. With serious volume from Georgia’s crop not expected until next week, growers in the Suwanee Valley are taking advantage, though they are quickly winding down with their own crop. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in …
North Florida Melon Producers Benefitting from High Market Demand
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers are in prime position to reap the benefits of the current market demand. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, explains how his region’s producers want harvests to remain fruitful as long as possible. “With the demand so strong, South …
North Florida Melon Producers Reaping Benefits of High Demand
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers are in prime position to reap the benefits of the current market demand. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, explains how his region’s producers want harvests to remain fruitful as long as possible. “With the demand so strong, South …
Southeast Production: Rindworm Management in Watermelons
By Clint Thompson Watermelon producers in the Southeast should be wary of the presence of rindworms in this year’s crop. Insecticide sprays are available for growers who need to control populations of the various worm species like corn earworm, fall armyworm and beet armyworm. Intrepid and Coragen insecticides are ideal choices for farmers to utilize, according to Bob Hochmuth, University …
Urgent: Powdery Mildew Found on Watermelon in South Carolina
Powdery mildew was found on three cultivars of seedless watermelon at the Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center (REC) on Tuesday, May 23, according to Tony Keinath, a former Clemson plant pathologist, in The South Carolina Grower. All watermelon crops in South Carolina should be scouted for powdery mildew. If the disease is observed, producers should spray to prevent powdery mildew, …