North Florida Melon Producers Benefitting from High Market Demand

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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

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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

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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

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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, …

North Florida Watermelon Growers Take Advantage of Early Plantings

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By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers hoping to take advantage of an early harvest by planting this year’s crop in late February are enjoying the fruits of their labor. Harvests are well under way across the Suwanee Valley Region. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, …

Hail Damage Calls for Action from North Florida Watermelon Growers

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By Clint Thompson Hail damage in some North Florida watermelon fields should prompt those producers to take action to preserve the crop’s well being amid the current harvests. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talks about the damage sustained last week. “I don’t want to make …

Warm Temperatures Spur South Georgia Watermelons

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By Clint Thompson Georgia’s watermelon harvests are less than a month away. The crop’s development increased last week thanks to warm temperatures. It was much different than the weather conditions growers experienced previously, according to Greg Leger, owner of Leger & Son, Inc, in Cordele, Georgia. “We won’t have anything until the (June) 5th or 10th, something like that. There …

Powdery Mildew Confirmed in North Florida Melons

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By Clint Thompson Another week of watermelon production in Florida’s Suwannee Valley region, another confirmation of a potentially devastating disease. Fortunately, it appears that producers were ready for powdery mildew disease, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “It is confirmation, sort of like the downy …

Early Watermelon Harvests Begin in North Florida

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By Clint Thompson A handful of watermelons were harvested last week in North Florida. More will be picked this week. It is the earliest that a significant portion of the crop has been harvested in the Suwanee Valley area, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. …

Downy Mildew Disease Confirmed in North Florida Watermelons

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By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease has been confirmed in North Florida watermelons. South Georgia and South Alabama watermelon producers should be wary since the disease can spread easily by the high winds being experienced this week. “With the way the winds have been blowing here recently I think we’re in a situation where it’s relatively high risk throughout the …