Melons

Watch for thrips and mites in vegetables

The hotter temperatures we have had have caused thrips and to a lesser extent two spotted spider mite, TSSM (Tetranychus urticae) populations to rapidly increase in some vegetable fields in Maryland. These pests feed by... more »

Watermelon crop update in Florida includes gummy stem blight warning

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agents have issued an alert for watermelon farmers in the Suwannee Valley region about a potentially dangerous disease that could impact their crop. Reports... more »

Linear bed foot method determines fertilizer needs for plastic mulch crops

In the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations, fertilizer recommendations are given on a per acre basis. For crops grown on plastic mulch, the most common bed spacing between rows is used and recommendations are based... more »

Odd damage to greenhouse watermelon transplants seen

There have been several reports of odd-looking damage to watermelon transplants being grown in greenhouses these past couple of weeks. The damage does not appear to be cold damage per se, but more of a... more »

Before laying plastic, check the soil pH

Mid-April is when plastic mulch laying starts for many of our summer crops. Each year we see problems with low bed pH under plastic mulch. This can result in a range of problems including poor... more »

All hands needed to protect wild bee pollinators

Wild and honeybees pollinate many of the crops we eat. Each farmer’s field is part of a larger agricultural landscape where bees forage and collect nectar throughout the area, potentially visiting a variety of crops.... more »

Scientists discover that watermelons grow faster at night

Wearable sensing technology is an essential link to future personalized medicine through seamlessly monitoring heart rate, body temperature, and physical activities of human body. Recently, a wearable electronic sensor for plants has been jointly developed... more »

Del Monte Fresh Produce to relaunch MAG.nificent Melon

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., marketer and distributors of fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, announced March 25 the relaunch of its MAG.nificent Melon. According to a news release, the MAG.nificent Melon provides consumers... more »