It would appear that this may be the indirect result of a slow bedding plant season this spring and the rapid increase in the amount of vegetatively propagated annuals being grown. Mite populations have been low this summer. Fruit size of the long season tomato crop is beginning to drop a bit and there is a fair incidence of blossom end rot. Fall plantings are underway. In most operations, whiteflies and spider mites are under control.
Cabbage loopers continue to cause damage to foliage and fruits.
Most crops have low levels of Western flower thrips and an increasing number of operations have become infested with tomato pinworm. With respect to disease incidence, bacterial canker is present in several operations, there are low levels of Botrytis, and most crops are infected with powdery mildew. Most cucumber crops have been topped or are scheduled to be topped over the next few weeks. Cucumber prices have fallen and are expected to be low for the next few weeks. Whiteflies are common and the incidence of beet pseudo yellows is relatively high.