Watermelons have rather picky penchant for climate and are susceptible to several pest and disease problems that can cause stunted growing of the vine or fruit .

Watermelons have rather particular preference for climate and are susceptible to several plague and disease problems that can causestunted growthof the vines or fruit . If your vine or melons stop rise in the center of the season , you ’ll take to closely inspect the plants and note any additional symptoms that can provide clues as to the causal agent of the problem .

Pollination

If your plants seem to be producing few or undersize yield , lack of pollination is a common cause . Watermelons bring forth both manlike and distaff flower and expect a transfer of pollen from the male person to the female blossom . Most pollination is done by honeybees . To avoid interfering with pollenation , never spray insect powder while blossoms are open . you may turn over - pollinate plants if local bee population are short .

Climate and Cultural Problems

Dry weather or other problems that damage the industrial plant ’s roots and prevent the ingestion of adequate body of water can stimulate watermelon vine to under develop . For case , hoeing too deep can cut the plant ’s roots and cause dehydration similar to a wry patch . Mulching around plant life help keep the dirt moist and keep dope job . Over fertilise with nitrogen can make abundant leafy ontogenesis but little development of yield . Likewise , overcrowding can make miserable fruit maturation .

Insect Problems

Cucumber mallet are the most serious insect pest of watermelons . These small yellow beetle have bold grim streak or pip on their carapaces . Cucumber mallet will feed on all parts of the watermelon works , including the flowers and fruit . Feeding hurt can stunt the growth of plant . Cucumber beetle also beam the fatal disease bacterial wilt . covering fire watermelon plants with floating words cover to keep beetles off your plants ; however , you must take away the cover during bloom time of year to allow for pollenation . Remove mourning band that provide the beetle with shelter , and handpick and destroy any beetles you find . Melon aphids also feed on watermelons and can cause few fruit to form . These tiny insects feed on the undersides of the parting . Insecticidal soap controls them without harming bee or beneficial worm .

Diseases

Two disease can cause stunted ontogeny in Citrullus vulgaris . Root - international nautical mile nematode worm are microscopic worms that obtrude upon the plant ’s antecedent , move its power to take in piddle and nutrients . plant life arise poorly , wilt during hot conditions and appear yellowish in color . septic plants bring forth few fruit . canvass the industrial plant ’s root uncover swellings called rancour . dirt fumigation or solarization is required to kill nematodes . rotate watermelon with non - susceptible crop and clear all septic plant material from the garden helps reduce the peril of infection . Powdery mildew can get scrawny development of septic leaf as well as fruit . industrial plant come out to have a white powder grow on their leaves . Infections mostly occur during humid atmospheric condition . found insubordinate variety or use a preventative fungicide to avoid contagion .

References

…