By Clint Thompson Ideal weather conditions meant an early start to watermelon planting for Florida producers in the Suwanee Valley area. Hopefully, it will translate to early harvests that meet the Memorial Day window. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the impact, which included some …
Florida Watermelon Industry to Feel Impact of Freeze
By Clint Thompson The late-January freeze event that devastated some specialty crops in Florida likely impacted watermelon plants already in the ground. South Florida producers start planting in late December, so much of the crop was at least a month old when it encountered sub-freezing temperatures on Jan. 30. How that will impact the crop in North Florida and South …
UF/IFAS Watermelon Trials Focus on Nutrient/Water Efficiency
By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agents are conducting on-farm trials this year to help watermelon producers be more efficient with their resources. Tyler Pittman, UF/IFAS Extension agent in Gilchrist County, explains what north Florida producers can expect from some of the research trials. “Here in Florida, one of our hottest topics …
Proper Pollination of Watermelon Helps Prevent Hollow Heart
By Clint Thompson A common condition of watermelons can be rectified with a couple of pollination adjustments from producers. Gordon Johnson, an assistant professor and Extension specialist in fruits and vegetables at the University of Delaware, said proper pollination can help nullify any development of hollow heart. “Our research pretty much proves that inadequate pollen will lead to higher incidences …
North Florida Watermelon Growers Depending on Strong ’22 Market
By Clint Thompson There’s never been a question of North Florida watermelon growers being able to produce a crop. The question always lies with what the market is when that crop is ready for harvest. Maybe more than any other year, that market needs to be productive for farmers in 2022, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food …
Watermelon Producer: Unknowns a Real Problem for Growers
By Clint Thompson The supply chain crisis that is gripping the U.S. is leaving watermelon farmers in a state of flux on how to proceed with the upcoming season. Florida growers are two months away from planting this year’s crop. Input costs and availability are on top of producers’ minds, says Lara Land, watermelon producer and executive council member of …
Price Adjustment: Watermelon Farmers Need Assistance to Remain Sustainable
By Clint Thompson Extremely high input costs makes watermelon production unsustainable for Southeast producers. Carr Hussey, a watermelon farmer in Florida, Georgia and Alabama and chairman of the board of the Florida Watermelon Association (FWA), said there be a must price adjustment for farmers to remain afloat. “Pricing, I think it’s going to change this season, I really do. Farmers …
Costly Increase: Input Expenses for Watermelons Will Impact Consumer Price
By Clint Thompson South Florida watermelon producers are two months away from planting this year’s crop. Farmers are bracing themselves for the high input prices that are rampant throughout the agricultural industry. Mark Bryan, president of the Florida Watermelon Association, said the impact of the increased input costs will be felt at the grocery stores next spring and summer. “We …
Fall Watermelon Production Not Recommended in North Florida
By Clint Thompson Josh Freeman, University of Florida (UF)/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Associate Professor in Horticultural Science, is completely honest when assessing the potential of fall watermelon production in north Florida. “To be completely frank, we would not recommend watermelon growers grow watermelons in the fall,” Freeman said. His blunt assessment is attributed to the multiple variables …
A Lot to Learn: Two New Viruses a Concern for Florida Watermelon Industry
By Clint Thompson Two new watermelon viruses discovered recently in Texas are now a concern of Florida producers. As if South Florida growers did not have enough diseases to concern themselves with, these two new viruses are now on growers’ and industry leaders’ radar. Pam Roberts, professor of plant pathology and state Extension specialist for vegetable pathology at the University …