Planting Melons with mildew

[biscombe]

Hi all!! Calling on your valued advice! Got some melons waiting to be planted out BUT they are showing signs of powdery mildew! would you:
1. start again and sow more seeds or 2. Plant out andbatttle with the mildew, hope it goes away!!
Help!!!!!!!!!!!

[douglas]

I would start a fresh batch of seed to be on the safe side how big are your plants

[biscombe]

Hi Douglas, Most have got 4 true leaves quite sad to chuck them but I dont wanna risk a mildew attack!!

[Pharmer Phil]

Powdered milk and water, mix like you were going to drink it, spray plants thoroughly and isolate if possible for a week

[Pharmer Phil]

OR
Mix 4 teaspoons (about 1 rounded tablespoon) of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of horticultural oil into one gallon of water. Spray lightly on foliage of plants

[biscombe]

HI Phill! you are a star!! If I take your advice and spray with your recipies, will the mildew go away, or will I have to keep spraying? I dont want any other plants to get effected!! How often do I keep spraying?? My peas far off in another plot have had to be pulled up just as they are fruiting, they were covered in mildew despite a spraying twice a week (at the first sign of mildew) with an organic mildew spray (shop bought) I'm still in two minds what to do!!!!!!

[douglas]

Not sure why it started so soon on yer plants good luck

[Pharmer Phil]

It is a little early, but PM can start most anytime , whenever certain conditions prevail. temperature and humidity are important factors in the development of powdery mildew. It is most common during periods of cool temperatures with high humidity. These conditions occur when plants are grown in crowded, damp, or shaded locations, where air circulation is poor, or when cool night temperatures follow warm days. Here in Minnesota, we see higher levels of powdery mildew in the spring and fall.
I used powdered milk, but whole milk, diluted with 10% water will work too. Also , if you know anyone who makes cheese, Whey will work the same, and is cheaper than milk.
some suggest alternating treatments, to keep the fungi at bay, using emulsified canola oil and bicarbonate once a week and then moving to a spray of whey and seaweed extract the next cycle. Use the milk spray once a week, as for the lil ones, I think you can save them.
if you can jot down the types of trees and plants around you, we may be able to find out why PM is so abundent in your area.
Things you can do on the cultural side are:
Choose a site with good air circulation and low humidity, Separate new plantings from old plantings, Use a crop rotation of at least 1 year, control weeds.
If your area is prone to PM, you may want to choose resistance varieties of muskmelon, cucumber, summer squash, and pumpkin.
Here is a picture for reference.

[biscombe]

Hi Phil, thanks for your great reply! the conditions for PM seems to fit!! I will start the mildew fight! good news for the plants though, I would hate to dispose of them! If I continue with your plan will the PM disappear?