Why can't I grow melons? (Pic)

16 years ago

Hello I'm fairly new to gardening but have learned a lot from GW members. With these canteloupe (muskmelon) I've learned how to battle squash bugs and cabbage worms, and have dealt with some kind of caterpillar that bores into the vine from the top where I see a sticky orange cluster of eggs and have had to cut off the tops of a couple of vines which wilted because of them. I don't believe bugs are the problem though since I've learned to control them pretty well.

I've used coffee grounds every couple of weeks or so. I've tried an all-purpose plant food also but it doesn't seem to keep the leaves from yellowing & dying either.

I've used a soapy spray occasionally and eventually used Green Step for the caterpillars.

I'm suspecting it could be a soil problem since nothing seems to help and no, I haven't had my soil tested. I've read that nematodes are prevalent in this Florida soil so could that be it? Could it be not enough oxygen to the soil since I've kept them mulched?

I was watering every 2-3 days but we've had a lot of daily rain recently.

These will be going to the compost since it seems like they're past the point of no return, though I do have a few more young ones growing and would really like to prevent this with them since my 8-year old is crazy for melons.

The bottoms of the vines are bare since I've been trimming off the dying leaves but left some on for the picture.

Any opinions & advice will be much appreciated!

-Jen

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Comments (10)

Violet_Z6
16 years ago
You can continue to guess and guess, but if you haven't determined the quality of your soil, there is one way to know for sure. Get your soil tested by a lab. It's always the first place to start with a garden. You save a lot of time and money in the long run.

Check with your state's Extension Service. Each county should have it's own Cooperative Extension Office which provides free publications and information for the asking.

They can provide you with soil testing information. Mine was only $9.00, less than the cost of some strictly pH tests, and far more thorough. No guessing at what might need to be added, no money wasted.

I also wonder about your soil tilth and friability. It doesn't look like you planted your melons by hilling or mounding. Melons don't like 'wet feet', they prefer plenty of drainage.

Here is a link that might be useful: Everything you Need to Know About Growing Melons
suzyqk
16 years ago
Jen, is that trellis metal? It could be burning them up! I am growing watermelons on a nylon trellis and they are doing fine.

When did you plant them? In south fl should be started Aug-Sept or Feb-Mar. Here is a link to the planting dates for Florida.

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
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mailman22
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I wish my states extension service was better. I have seen violets posts often times and have clicked on other states extension service sites. Connecticut does not have an informative site like others that have been posted. Just my rant.
Good luck with your melons and , get that soil tested! ;)
jennijenjen
Original Author
16 years ago
Violet & Mailman - OK I'm convinced - I'll go ahead & get a soil test. And I've hilled my younger ones, hopefully they'll do better.

Suzyqk - yes, these are metal trellises but would they burn the leaves from the bottom of the vine and gradually go up? I actually have a copy of that Florida guide and they were started in late March.

Most of the soil was free since the city dug up my front yard for sidewalks. I just had to sift out a lot of rocks!

Thanks y'all!
dirt_poet
16 years ago
If an all-purpose fertilizer has absolutely no effect, then it's probably not the soil. How about other plants in the same area (veggies or ornamentals, not weeds or grass) - do they have any problems? With a nutrient deficiency that bad, it should affect other plants. It's still wise to get a soil test, but it really doesn't sound like a deficiency.

Watering every 2-3 days sounds excessive, and overwatering can turn leaves yellow, suffocate the roots, and result in die-off. Are your plants mulched? If so, then you're definitely overwatering.

It's hard to tell from those pics, but your melons could have a fungal infection. Do the stems/leaves wilt, or just turn yellow and die? Is this the first year cucurbits (melon/squash/cukes) have grown in this spot?
jennijenjen
Original Author
16 years ago
Actually, the tomatoes next to them do have the same problem, just slower-going. The growth just gets stronger at the top.

The vines are mulched heavily - I just leave about 6" or so around the stem so I suppose that could be a problem?
{{gwi:86895}}
I can try de-mulching the new vines & tilling the soil & see if that keeps them from yellowing any more. We need the daily rain we've had here though since we're under a drought.

The leaves don't wilt - just turn yellow & die. And yes it's the first year for anything - new garden.

Thanks for the diagnosis! Gardening is such a scientific learning experience!

-Jen
suzyqk
16 years ago
Oh I am sorry. It looked like a younger plant. I planted mine in may and it's bigger than that. That is why I thought it was just planted too. Sorry :)
jennijenjen
Original Author
16 years ago
Suzy how accurate have you found that planting chart to be? According to it, we can't plant anything May - July except sweet potatoes.

Thanks,
Jen
suzyqk
16 years ago
I just started using it. I never knew it existed until I did some searching on the net last month. I usually went by what the seed pack said lol.
jennijenjen
Original Author
16 years ago
Problem soon to be solved since now I know - It's root-knot NEMATODES!
{{gwi:86896}}
I'll pull up the rest of the dying melon vines, de-mulch, wet the soil, put down clear plastic, and solarize the soil for a few hot weeks of summer to get rid of them.

I was going to leave the 2 tomato plants in since I really want to try & save them - their damage has been slow - lower leaves yellowing & dying, and since I've been trimming off all the dead branches they've had new growth at the bottom.
{{gwi:86897}}
If I just put the plastic around them I'm hoping that will do enough. Experience anyone?

Why can't I grow melons? (Pic)

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Why can't I grow melons? (Pic)

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