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Pataskala,OH

In my watermelon patch the plants started to wilt then the leaves shriveled and the leaves died within 4-5 days. The stems are fine. I pulled a plant up to look at the stump and roots and they appear fine. Although I have no idea what a healthy watermelon root looks like. Are there diseases that would cause this without any obvious symptoms? The spots where I thought mice may be chewing are just scars from a spring hailstorm.

The only thing I can think of would be spray damage. But would spray damage slowly kill a plant over a few days?

8/20/2011 7:32:57 PM

Pataskala,OH

It looks like this.

http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-65-W.pdf

8/20/2011 7:45:48 PM

Pataskala,OH

but it probably is not.

8/20/2011 7:46:03 PM

Muddy Waters

To much fertility could kill plant what were you spraying? at what time of day!!Any round up around?or same sprayer for both??

8/20/2011 8:58:15 PM

Bowdon, GA

Did you cut the stump open or vines? See what the vascular tissue looks like. Good article BTW

8/21/2011 12:55:46 AM

Bethlehem CT

Just an idea, but I would think if it is spray damage to the leaf you could confirm this by leaving the plants alone. They would likely push out new growth from adventitious buds at the leaf axil.
I don't think it is spray damage because it would not happen that slowly. It would look more like this scenario. You spray at 7:00 a.m., the sun gets hot later that day, then the leaves wilt and get crisp.
My guess would be a disease of some sort.

8/21/2011 8:13:52 AM

Bowdon, GA

Yeah if there soft and spongy probably wilt of some sort.

8/21/2011 1:45:43 PM

Pataskala,OH

The good thing is it will be easier to break my PB nest year. lol

8/21/2011 2:35:51 PM