VegNet Vol. 14, No. 28. August 31, 2007

Ohio State University Extension Vegetable Crops
On the WEB at:  http://vegnet.osu.edu

In This Issue

1. Phytophthora root rot widespread

2. Crop Reports

3. Pumpkin Buyer/Seller Listing

Phytophthora Blight widespread in northern OH

The remnants of tropical storm Erin and other low pressure systems combined several days ago to drop considerable amounts of rain in northern OH in a short period of time. In one day’s time, areas along US Rt 30 received anywhere from 8 to 11 inches of rain causing widespread flooding from western to eastern OH. Vegetable production areas just north and south of this zone which did not receive the heaviest concentration of rain in one shot, however, received as much as 11 inches over a 7 to 10 day period. As a result, the excessively high soil moisture levels, standing water in fields and very high temperature have led to a considerable amount of Phytophthora root rot. Hardest hit in the region are the vine crops including pumpkins, melons and yellow summer squash. Fresh market peppers are also feeling the pinch. Too much water and high temperatures all favor rapid development of Phytophthora root rot in just a few days.

Crop Reports by Brad Bergefurd

Southern Ohio Vegetable Update 8/13 - 8/26
Unlike northern Ohio growing regions, southern Ohio production areas remain under severe drought situation with irrigation systems continuing to be run. Most areas received very little relief from last weeks storms which passed through, many areas receiving less than 1/2 inch of rainfall total for the week, localized areas closer to I 70 did receive upwards to 3 inches of rainfall but amounts were reduced towards the Ohio river. Many southern Ohio regions broke records for high temperatures last week exceeding 101 degrees on 8/23 and 8/24 with the remaining days experiencing temperatures in the high nineties. So far in the month of August each of the 26 days but 3 have reached high temperatures in the mid to upper nineties or low 100's. This long and continued stretch of high temperatures and 3 months lack of moisture, many areas 15 to 20 inches below normal rainfall for the growing season, are causing extreme stress to crops, field workers, farmers and honeybees for pollination. Honeybees are working fields pollinating in early morning but by noon most bees are clustered at hive entrances fanning attempting to cool the hives under the extreme high daily temperatures. 
Harvest of all fresh market vegetable continues with harvest and supply gaps being reported for sweet corn, cucumbers, pickles and summer squash. Cantaloupe supply remains strong however growers project harvests to begin to dwindle going into the upcoming week. Watermelon harvest and supply is strong with some scalding from intense sun, high temperatures and vine injury from downy mildew infections as well as vine collapse under the high temperatures experienced last week. The watermelon supply should be sufficient heading into the Labor Day weekend. Sweet corn supply will be tight with many plantings reaching maturity quicker due to the continued high temperatures with many growers reporting sweet corn crops are complete for the year. Some later planted sweet corn is waist high or just beginning to tassle. Sun scalding of sweet corn ears is being reported due to plants wilting daily from the extreme temperatures.

Pumpkin and winter squash harvest has begun with sufficient demand from retailers. Pumpkin quality overall is good with good quality handles on early harvests. Some sunscald is being reported on fruit due to extreme temperatures and intense sunshine causing daily vine wilting. Downy mildew pressure remains very strong on all vine crops with infections occurring even in fields under good fungicide programs. Powdery mildew pressure continues to be high even with PM tolerant varieties and tight fungicide programs. Late planted pumpkin crops, planted mid to late June or which did not germinate from lack of rainfall and topsoil moisture at planting, are showing very light crop loads so far, for these crops were flowering during the high temperatures the past 26 days. Many female blossoms were aborting or just falling off during these high temperatures. Plants are showing MANY male blossoms due to the high temperature and drought stress. Hopefully with cooler temperatures forecast for this week, low ninties and high eighties, these crops should begin to set more female blossoms and fruit and honeybees and pollinators should work the fields better. The question is "is there enough time for these late set pumpkins to reach maturity before frost"?

Harvest of ornamental corn continues with some growers reporting some best quality in years with very little insect or disease pressure reported on these early plantings. Demand by retailers is strong to moderate. Bundling of corn for fodder shocks has begun.

Harvest of double cropped processing pickles should begin Labor day weekend.Spotted cucumber beetle scouting numbers have increased in pickle fields.

Planting of green beans, summer squash transplants and cucumber transplants continues. Plastic mulch and trickle tape is being lifted in harvested fields, except where it will be carried over for double cropping next year. Irrigation pipe is being taken up in harvested fields. Soil tests are being taken, fields are being disced and chisel plowed and cover crops are being sown.

2007 Pumpkin Buyer's and Seller's List -Brad Bergefurd and Jim Jasinski

One topic that has come up several times the last few weeks was the supply of pumpkins for this season. Drought and torrential rains have ruined some pumpkin crops around the state. Jim Jasinski and Brad Bergefurd decided to try to pull together a list of growers who have pumpkins to SELL, and post this list on the OSU Centers at Piketon, VegNet, and IPM websites for BUYER'S to use if they need a supply of pumpkins. The list will be posted online and updated every few days. We will send an email after the first posting, listing the exact URL's in case you want to see the information first hand. Again, we're just trying to connect BUYER'S and SELLER'S throughout OHIO.

If you are interested in having your farm listed for pumpkin sales (and thus be available to BUYER'S), please click on the following link.

At this website http://champaign.osu.edu/ipm.htm  In orange under Current Projects/Reports you will find a link to the online survey to take seller's info, a pdf of the same info that can be faxed to either Brad or me, (This form will not take more than two minutes to complete) and both an excel and pdf of the first wave of seller's. 

Add Your Farm to 2007 Pumpkin Seller's List (online)

Add Your Farm to 2007 Pumpkin Seller's List (PDF form to FAX)

2007 Pumpkin Seller's List (Excel spread sheet)

2007 Pumpkin Seller's List (PDF)

Note: For those of you without internet or email connections, The following information is what is needed to be added to the list. Contact information for Jim Jasinski is: Jim Jasinski, OSU Champaign County, 1512 S. US Highway 68, Suite B100, Urbana, OH  43078, (Office)937-484-1526, (Fax)937-484-1540, E-mail: Jasinski.4@osu.edu

If you have pumpkins for sale this year and would like to be added to this pumpkin list, the following information needs to be sent to Jim Jasinski:

1. First Name;

2. Last Name;

3. City;

4. County;

5. Home or Farm Phone number (include area code);

6. Cell Phone Number (skip if not applicable);

7. Please provide an email address (if you have one) for buyers to contact you. (type accurately!); 8. Please provide an web site address (if you have one) for buyers to contact you and learn more about your operation. (type accurately!)

9. Preferred method of contact

Home / Farm Phone,

Cell Phone,

Email,

Website)

10. What volume/unit of pumpkins do you prefer to sell by? Select all that apply.

Small Sales (<200 fruit),

By the bin,

Bulk,

1/2 semi trailer load,

Full semi trailer load,

Other units of pumpkin sales (please specify)

11. What size pumpkins does your farm produce? Select all that apply.

GourdsHeirloom pumpkins & squash,

Mini pumpkins,

< 5 lbs / fruit,

5-15 lbs / fruit,

15-25 lbs / fruit,

25-35 lbs / fruit,

> 35 lbs / fruit,

Giant pumpkins]

If you grow other categories of pumpkins or squash please list below.