Coastal Region
Rob Last reports, “Spider mites are increasing in number on a variety of crops including strawberries and watermelons. Fruit crops in the area are producing well, with botrytis and anthracnose evident in strawberries but less in blueberries. Continuing sanitation and fungicide applications will help to increase marketable yield and reduce disease pressure. Cucurbits in the area are developing well and are responding well to warmer weather. Cucumber crops are approaching vining. Watermelons are also running well and will soon be leaving the plastic. If you haven’t begun disease management programs, now is the time.
Midlands Region
Justin Ballew reports, “This past week sure felt like summertime. Plants seem to be enjoying the heat, so long as they have plenty of water. We’ve had some scattered showers, but the moisture has dried up quickly. As a result, we haven’t seen as much disease this past week as I expected. Insect pests, on the other hand, are out in full force. Diamondback moth caterpillars are causing issues in brassicas, and spider mites are easy to find in strawberries. Cyclamen mites were also found in a strawberry field in the Midlands this week. Since we’re in the latter half of the strawberry season now, sap beetles are also present. Be sure to stay on top of removing overripe or damaged berries from the fields, as these are great breeding sites for sap beetles.”
Crinkled new growth is a sign of cyclamen mites, but their presence needs to be confirmed by looking for them under a microscope before treatments are made. Contact your local Extension agent for help with this.
J. Ballew, ©2022, Clemson Extension
A sap beetle feeds just beneath the cap leaves of this overripe strawberry.
J. Ballew, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Sarah Scott reports, “We have started harvesting early-season peaches along the Ridge. Fruit size is still a bit small but should be good for mid-season varieties. We are nearing the period of summer cover sprays for bacterial spot. Remember that mid-May to early June is a critical time for spray applications to prevent large fruit lesions.
Harvest has begun on some early-season peach varieties.
Sarah Scott, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region
Andy Rollins reports, “Strawberry production is still in full gear. Multiple farms have abnormally severe Phytophthora root rot. Plants are being examined for resistance to Ridomil. Overuse of this product over time is believed to have been the cause. The pictured farm isn’t projected to get to 2000 gallons per acre. The peach crop is strong in many areas. Focusing on controlling plum curculio is important. Growers are thinning their crops as quickly as possible. Some varieties are more difficult to make decisions on as we are seeing cold damage that’s obvious and some that isn’t quite as obvious. The freeze on Palm Sunday caused skin damage to the outside, but some is still good and growing. Growers are having to look closely for signs of cat claw. And all warm-season vegetable crops are being planted now.”
Dark-colored roots are a sign of Phytophthora root rot.
Andy Rollins, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Kerrie Roach reports, “Strawberries are in full swing in the ‘Golden Corner’. Warm-season vegetable crops are finally going into the ground, and apples are just about finished blooming. With the warm weather and clear days over the last two weeks, things have really started to flourish. Cover sprays on apples should begin and continue through the season. Scout for insects and diseases every few days. With warm weather and rain predicted later this week, consider working your schedule around the rain.”
Arkansas Black showing stages of petal fall and fruit set.
Kerrie Roach, ©2022, Clemson Extension
