SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report September 27, 2021

Coastal Region

Zack Snipes reports, “We have had plenty of rain as of late in the Lowcountry. Many growers could not get in the fields due to fields being soggy. We have some beautiful weather coming this week, so I expect a good bit of ground to be prepped and planted. We have plenty of moisture in the soil, so those preemergent herbicides should have great efficacy if put down properly. I am seeing some odd yellowing symptoms of watermelon vines that lead to a collapse in the plant. We sent off samples to the Plant Diagnostic Lab. If you are suspicious of a plant disease, we can identify the disease for you. I also received a few calls this week about greenhouses. Before buying a greenhouse, consider retrofitting a shipping container. Thousands of transplants can be grown in a very small space which saves you money on your heating and cooling bill.”

A retrofitted shipping container for growing vegetable transplants at the CREC. Zack Snipes, ©2021, Clemson Extension

A retrofitted shipping container for growing vegetable transplants at the CREC.
Zack Snipes, ©2021, Clemson Extension

Thousands of transplants can be grown in near-optimal conditions in a shipping container. Zack Snipes, ©2021, Clemson Extension

Thousands of transplants can be grown in near-optimal conditions in a shipping container.
Zack Snipes, ©2021, Clemson Extension

Midlands Region

Justin Ballew reports, “We’ve been enjoying the fall weather here in the midlands. We got some rain, and the high temperatures have been in the upper 70s/low 80s. The majority of folks got their beds formed and plastic laid for strawberries last week. I’m getting some reports that strawberry nurseries are facing a tight supply this year. Hopefully, everyone got their orders in early. On brassicas, we’ve seen a significant increase in caterpillar population levels over the last week. That makes now a great time to run a field bioassay to screen for insecticide resistance in diamondback moth populations. Contact your local agent to schedule one.”

Tiny, oval, yellow-colored, diamondback moth eggs on the underside of a leaf of a week-old collard plant. Scout carefully as soon as plants go in the ground. Justin Ballew, ©2021, Clemson Extension

Tiny, oval, yellow-colored, diamondback moth eggs on the underside of a leaf of a week-old collard plant. Scout carefully as soon as plants go in the ground.
Justin Ballew, ©2021, Clemson Extension

Phillip Carnley reports, “Brassica production is ramping up in Orangeburg, Calhoun, and Clarendon counties. Diamondback caterpillar is making itself known in brassica crops, especially in collards. Make sure to scout early and treat in a timely fashion. If your insecticide program is not showing the desired level of control, talk with your local agent about scheduling a bioassay to assess your population’s resistance to different insecticides. Also, be on the lookout for black rot and other fungal problems in early transplants. Loopers seem to be a non-issue currently but stay vigilant in monitoring. I am still getting plenty of calls for pecans, the majority of the issues are pecan scab and yellow aphid damage, causing nut drop and premature defoliation. Also, be mindful to monitor/test for nematodes; in my area, I am seeing population loading due to a lack of cultural and chemical control. On blackberries, make sure to harvest in a timely manner and maintain a high level of sanitation, as there is plenty of spotted wing drosophila to go around.”

African Fig Flies (AFF)(with the white stripes) can invade small fruit crops simultaneously with spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Once the SWD cuts a hole in the fruit to lay an egg, the AFF comes along and lays an egg in the same hole. AFF can also invade strawberries and blackberries independent of SWD. Phillip Carnley, ©2021, Clemson Extension

African Fig Flies (AFF)(with the white stripes) can invade small fruit crops simultaneously with spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Once the SWD cuts a hole in the fruit to lay an egg, the AFF comes along and lays an egg in the same hole. AFF can also invade strawberries and blackberries independent of SWD.
Phillip Carnley, ©2021, Clemson Extension

Pee Dee Region

Bruce McLean reports, “Last week’s rainfall really helped to moisten dry soils around the Pee Dee. Fall vegetable crops are coming along. Disease activity is low, and insect activity is light to moderate. Surprisingly, diamondback moths have not been observed yet. Looper activity has been light to moderate on brassicas, and cabbageworms have been observed in some fields. Aphids have been seen, as well. Stink bug activity has been moderate on okra. Okra harvest has begun to slow down, but decent volumes are still being harvested. Wine and juice muscadine harvest are complete, but some fresh market muscadines are still being picked in limited volumes. Most folks have bedded and fumigated for strawberries (or will be this week). Talking to growers, it sounds like strawberry plants (plug and bare root) are getting a bit scarce more so than normal for this time of the year. If you’re looking for some plants, you may have to go with varieties that may not be familiar. Be sure to order early next year to get the varieties and volumes you need.”

If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988.

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