Muskmelons belong to to the cucurbit family , which admit cucumber , squash and pumpkin . Honeydew and cantaloupe are three coarse muskmelons . As such , these fruits receive a turn of works diseases that vegetable growers should be familiar with . Muskmelon diseases are triggered by fungus living in the filth , so gardeners that experience disease must process or remove the soil before planting melons again .

Powdery Mildew

Melon plant leaves can contract powdery mold , a fungal disease that exit foliage and flora staunch coated in a fine lily-white junk . Affected works acquire fewer melon vine , and the melon vine is of short caliber . The disease occur most ofttimes in humid or sloshed weather . gardener can implant sweet melon vine varieties that are naturally immune to powdery mold or can address septic plants with copper - base fungicide .

Leaf Spot

Alternaria leaf spot affect melon plant leaves . symptom admit spotting of the leaves ; as the contagion worsens , the lesions grow large and display concentric rings . lesion range in colour from yellow to tan . The leaves also dry out and curl at the edge . The fungus that make Alternaria foliage spot thrives in wet , warm weather . Gardeners can treat this disease preventatively ( and not retroactively ) using fungicide contain mancozeb .

Anthracnose

Another fungous disease , anthracnose , affect both the yield and the leaves of muskmelons . Fruits develop dark indented lesions on the rind . Leaves develop yellow , burn or black blotch and can dry out out . Cantaloupe is less susceptible than other muskmelons , fit in to North Carolina State University . Gardeners can plant disease repellent multifariousness or address infected plant with antimycotic agent . North Carolina State University advises gardeners to check with their local county extension office , since sanction antimycotic motley from twelvemonth to year .

Fusarium Wilt

Fusarium wilting of melon can kill affected plants gradually or dead . Plants can prepare lesions along the shank , can of a sudden wilt , can seep gummy red sap or turn yellow or chocolate-brown at the stem . Plants typically expose some but not all of these symptoms . Gardeners can preclude this disease by planting melons in soil with a pH of 6 to 7 or by planting disease resistant types of muskmelon .

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