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Western PA

I had 2 melon plants growing great (193 Whites). The plants were way bigger than my plants the past 2 years, but maybe the warmer weather helped that.

A few days ago I noticed that the one plants last few feet of each vines leaves were currling up. Other than that, It looked good. The next day I noticed that something was definately wrong. The center ( from stump out) was wilting bad. The next morning it was totally flat. I pulled it out.
I am growing on fabric and lifted it for a moisture check. Soil looked and felt good.

I will try to get a pic up later, but from this description, can anyone take a guess on what took it down?
My first thought is bacterial wilt, but I have not done research on it, not even sure if melons get that.

Lee

7/14/2012 8:07:03 AM

Piqua, Ohio

I think you're on the right track, sounds like bacteria. I lost a pumpkin to the same symptoms yesterday, but I think it was YVD. Not sure about melons, squash bugs don't bother mine.

7/14/2012 9:18:27 AM

Prairie Du Sac Wi

I used a microscope that hooks up to my laptop and saw them little bugger's. I took a few pictures of them and compared them to online pictures of mites. They are two spotted spider mites. The only good part is now I know .

7/14/2012 2:06:29 PM

Prairie Du Sac Wi

Ignore that last reply of mine. I posted it by accident. Sorry

7/14/2012 2:15:07 PM

Corryton, TN

I guess there's a first time for everything but I don't think it was bacterial wilt. I found a hole in the ground at the base of mine that went down the same way. I assumed it was mice or voles. I probably should have sent a sample to the lab.

There is definately yellowing of a major portion of the vines with YVD. Its a slower death.

7/14/2012 3:29:06 PM

Bethlehem CT

I had some of my plants curl up, I pushed my finger into the soil around the stump and it sunk right into a vole hole. The voles had been tunneling and destroying the root zone. They even got into my Jala maize's root system I have been soaking the ground now for a couple weeks and they seem to be coming back.

7/14/2012 3:39:15 PM

Western PA

When I pulled mine out the root system was good and strong.All I really know is this happened VERY fast.

7/15/2012 8:58:33 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

I am sorry that it happened. Plants are fragile at times, and easily destroyed by things.

7/16/2012 9:55:58 AM

Bethlehem CT

I am sorry too, your plants look good.

7/16/2012 3:52:56 PM

Alabama Usa

having the same problem in south alabama.me and my uncle planted a row of carolina cross seeds didnt cull or pollinate and planted in the regular melon patch.they are all dieing.i have about 15 good shapped melons pushing 50 lbs and one that is 24 in's long with a 43 in girth.cut one yesterday that was 14 in's long and 43 in girth that weighed 55 lbs it's half the size of the big one.checking every day trying to let them ripen.i am going to go all out next year this is my first time growing corlina cross but i have the ideal place to grow as many as i want.how long can i wait?

7/16/2012 7:07:41 PM

sevierville, Tn

That was a nice looking plant. sorry. wish i knew what does that, plant seems to die in days, & there never seems to be anything wrong with it. I suspected bacterial wilt since it goes so quickly , but without a test, no way to know.

7/17/2012 6:21:51 AM