Why Hasn't My Honeydew Developed Well?

Are there any small, round reddish brown spots with white to grey centers on the upper surface of the leaves?

Do the leaves have any small circular or irregularly shaped dry spots that are gray to straw in color?

Does the plant wilts suddenly, yellow streaking on the foliage is apparent?

Are the seedlings dying and the stems are girdled or rotted at soil line?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Are the leaves curled and distorted?

Do the leaves have chewed holes in them?

Do the leaves have pale green patches on them, some leaves may have already wilted and blacken?

Are the leaves stippled with yellow and the foliage is webbed?

These symptoms indicate Alternaria leaf spot. Warm, wet conditions favor this fungal disease. Spray infected plants with copper and/or sulfur to prevent further disease development. Plant only pathogen-free seed from a reputable nursery.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Anthracnose. Keep plants dry when watering to prevent spread. Spray plants with copper when the first fruit develops if you have had problems in the past.

Bacterial wilt causes a yellow streaking on the foliage and sudden wilting. Remove and destroy infected plants. Do not replant honeydew or any other susceptible plant species in that area for several years. Control cucumber beetles because they are vectors for bacterial wilt.

If your seedlings are falling over and the stems are girdled or rotted at the soil line, the most likely cause is a damping-off disease. Remove and destroy all infected plants. To prevent damping-off let the soil surface dry between waterings, thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding and do not add nitrogen fertilizers until plants have developed leaves.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and any surrounding plants. Water plants from bellow to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. The appropriate fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

Distorted and curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Leaves with chewed holes indicate Cucumber beetles. Beetles may be spotted, striped or banded and can be very harmful. The beetle larva can also bore through the roots of the plants. Knock off adults into a jar of soapy water and destroy them. Spade the soil to destroy dormant beetles before you plant. Use a row cover to prevent adults from feeding on young plants. In severe infestations use pyrethrin spray or dust.

Leaves with pale green patches that later wilt and turn black are caused by Squash bugs. Adults are brownish to black and young bugs are whitish green with dark heads and legs. They lay their bright orange eggs on the undersides of leaves. Handpick adults and eggs. Place a board on the ground near plants. Lift it each morning and destroy the bugs hiding underneath.

Leaves stippled with yellow and webbed foliage is caused by spider mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plants leaves causing yellow flecking on the upper leaf surfaces. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap, or pyrethrin as a last resort.

If the fruit is splitting it usually means that when the fruit was forming it did not get an even supply of moisture from the roots. A sudden rush of water from sudden and heavy summer rains through the stem can pop the skin of ripening fruit. The skin cannot expand fast enough and splitting appears. Instead of a quick sprinkle every day, water deeply once or twice a week so the moisture soaks deeply into the soil where roots can take it up as needed.