Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows sufficient moisture for most of Florida. But South Florida is still lacking precipitation. It remains abnormally dry with Collier County still in a moderate drought. The dry conditions extend as far north as Hendry County, Palm Beach County and Martin County. Two specific areas in Georgia remain abnormally dry. In the northwest …
Whitefly Populations High in South Florida
According to South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whitefly populations are high in beans, squash, eggplants and tomato in Southwest Florida. As a result, Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus is high in most tomato fields. Older cucurbit and fruiting vegetables are experiencing especially high numbers. “Some growers report that they are worse than they have ever been while others claim …
South Florida Still Abnormally Dry
According to the latest release of the US Drought Monitor, recent rainfall has alleviated some of the dry conditions felt in central parts of Florida. There are still abnormally dry conditions in South Florida. Those extend northward to Hendry County, Martin County and Palm Beach County. A moderate drought is still being experienced in the southern part of Collier County, …
Pepper Weevil Pressure Increasing in South Florida
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, pepper weevil pressure is high in Palm Beach County. Pepper weevil numbers are also increasing around the Homestead, Florida area. Respondents report that weevil pressure continues to increase around southwest Florida. Older fields are hosting high populations, while adults are now showing up in most younger pepper plantings. Weevil numbers remain …
Drought Monitor: South Florida Remains Abnormally Dry
South Florida received a substantial amount of rainfall last weekend, but it still remains dry across the region. According to the Thursday’s release of the US Drought Monitor the majority of south Florida and parts of central Florida are abnormally dry. Even counties like Monroe, Collier and Palm Beach are classified ‘D1’ or in a moderate drought. The abnormally dry …
Timely Rainfall Just ‘What the Doctor Ordered’ for South Florida Region
South Florida was thirsting for rainfall prior to last weekend. The abnormally dry conditions were alleviated a little bit with steady moisture that soaked the region, says Gene McAvoy, University of Florida/IFAS Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus. “We got about an inch and a half down around Immokalee (Florida). Some places were a little better,” McAvoy said. “It was …
Whitefly Infestations Surge Across South Florida Region
According to the most recent South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whitefly pressure continues to build across the region, with populations reaching high numbers. This is especially true in older cucurbit and fruiting vegetables at or close to harvest. Whiteflies feed on various hosts but the crop that’s proven to be most vulnerable is older tomato fields that should have …
South Florida Remains Abnormally Dry
It continues to be hot and dry in South Florida. The abnormally dry conditions cover much of middle Florida down to South Florida, according to the US Drought Monitor. Portions of South Florida, including Monroe County, Collier County, Hendry County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County are classified as ‘D1’ or in a moderate drought. Pinellas County, Hillsborough …
Thrips, Thrips, Thrips! Populations Oscillate in South Florida Fields
According to UF/IFAS, Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations continue to swing back and forth across the South Florida region. While flower thrips are the predominant species north of Miami-Dade, a few locations still are reporting ABT at the dominant species. ABT populations ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 per bloom in southeastern Hendry County. Populations were reduced where records of 10 …
South Florida Producers Dealing with Abnormally Dry Conditions
South Florida is abnormally dry. While it is not uncommon this time of year, vegetable and specialty crop producers are having to adjust with their irrigation management, says Gene McAvoy, University of Florida Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus. “It’s pretty characteristic of this time of year in South Florida. We’re in the height of our dry season now. We …