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My first years of growing melons showed mixed results depending on whether they grew at the Fall City garden or at the farm. Just about every plant at the garden put on fruit well, but wilted and died before it ripened.

On the other hand, the first two years at the farm showed luxuroius plants the produced delicious melons.

In 2017 I grew only at the farm, but this wilt extended to several of the plants at the garden, both Farthest North and Oregon Delicious. In fact, none of the plants showed the vigor and health of previous years. But several of the plants were seriously compromised.

The most likely disease causing this wilt is called “bacterial wilt.” This is transmitted via cucumber beetles, who transmit a bacterium as they chomp on the leaves. We always have a fine contingent of cucumber beetles, so this seems likely.

Bacterial wilt thickens the juices flowing from root to vine, slowing down growth and sickening the plant.

I dug up the affected plants to examine the roots. All these looked OK. I also cut a stem to evaluate the likelihood of bacterial wilt.

I tested for bacterial wilt in two different ways on different plants and was unable to verify this specific malady. Testing for bacterial wilt is simple but didn't test positive on either the Farthest North or the Oregon Delicious melons.

I love the muskmelons and will likely grow them again. However, I next year I intend to grow also the Black Mountain watermelon from Uprising Organics. This variety is not subject to bacterial wilt.

Here are some photos of the pathetic results.