CLEMSON – Clemson researchers report South Carolina peaches appear to have survived the recent cold snap, but growers shouldn’t let down their guard just yet.
The Clemson Peach Team and Cooperative Extension Service agents met this week to discuss the impact the recent freeze may have had on the state’s peaches.
“Based on what we’re seeing, there has been minimal damage in the Upstate and McBee area,” said Juan Carlos Melgar, a Clemson pomologist. “We saw only spotted damage on the Ridge, mostly on early varieties. For other varieties, it has been more of a light thinning. A mature tree can have a full crop even with 10 percent of all the flowers at bloom. So we’re still optimistic, although, at the same time, cautious as we are not still free from freeze risks.”
To help South Carolina peach growers produce bountiful yields, the Peach Team and Cooperative Extension Service agents met with growers during the 2019 Ridge Peach Producers meeting to provide growers with the latest, research-based information. Topics ranged from disorders to diseases and from pests to budget issues.
The Ridge — Edgefield, Saluda and Lexington counties — is South Carolina’s predominant peach-growing region.