MELCAST is a weather-based disease-forecasting program that helps growers schedule foliar fungicide applications for cantaloupe and watermelon. MELCAST stands for MELon disease for CASTer. This program, designed by Dr. Rick Latin, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology at Purdue University, keeps track of weather conditions so that cantaloupe and watermelon growers can apply foliar fungicides to their crops[Read More…]
Vegetable growers will begin thinking about fungicide applications in a few weeks. Many growers will have already purchased fungicides for the 2023 season. Where can Indiana vegetable growers go for fungicide information? To find recommended fungicides for vegetable fungicides, one may want first to study the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide. One can find this Guide,[Read More…]
Almost every year, I have a greenhouse tomato grower or two call me about tomato plants that are distorted and don’t seem to be growing right. The problem often turns out to be ethylene damage. This year, I have already received my first case of heater problem. Please read the article below to avoid or[Read More…]
A new strain of the disease anthracnose of pepper has been detected in South Carolina and Ontario, Canada. Although this disease has not been found in Indiana, the article reprinted below will help growers to be aware of this potential problem. Pay close attention to the description of the disease and the photo. Don’t hesitate[Read More…]
Hard copies of the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide (ID-56) are available. This annually revised guide is a summary of currently suggested fertility, cultural, and pest management techniques and tools for commercial vegetable growers, and is a collaboration of land-grant universities from eight states. It provides vegetable production information that is valid for the current year[Read More…]
There will a Specialty Crops Applicator Program on Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time at the Washington County Government Building, 806 Martinsburg Road, Salem, IN. Participants will earn PARP credit. CCH credit has been applied for. The program is free. Bring $10 for PARP credit, cash or check only. RSVP[Read More…]
The dinner meeting will take place on November 29, 2022. We will discuss the future of the Southwest Melon and Vegetable Growers Association and have a presentation about the 2022 watermelon variety trials. The portion of the meeting concerning SWIM future will begin at 5 pm. Dinner will be served at 6 pm. The variety[Read More…]
The Southwest Melon and Vegetable Grower Association will have their Annual meeting in association with the Illiana Watermelon Association (IWA) on January 20, 2023 in French Lick, IN. Note that this is an earlier date than the meeting usually takes place. PARP and CCH credit will be applied for. The meeting agenda has not been[Read More…]
PCNB fungicides include Blocker 4F® and 10G®. PCNB is an acronym for the chemical pentachloronitrobenzene. In Indiana, PCNB fungicides are used for bottom rot, club root, and wirestem in brassica crops. Brassica crops for which PCNB products are labeled for include: Broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, and mustard greens. Be sure to[Read More…]
Vegetable growers may be wondering when to apply the final fungicide application. It is important to leave the crop protected until the last harvest. Yet, it is important not to waste fungicides. In most cases, the last fungicide application should occur 10 to 14 days from the final harvest. Most fungicides that are designed to[Read More…]