Wilting melon plants

[bazzaboy]

I was rather proud of myself this year and had got four melon seeds doing rather well in the greenhouse, one even producing a melon that is currently about the size of an ostrich egg (not that I have any ostriches...). But then suddenly in two days all four plants have turned yellow with dark blotches (it's like blight and about as speedy) and I think they've had it.... duh! Couple of snaps below......

Anyone know what causes it and how to avoid it another time?

Many thanks... bb.

[scarey55]

Mine went a bit like that too. I gave them some all purpose feed and they perked up. I think they need a lot of feeding and watering because they have to be kept quite warm. Worth a try?

ETA:
sorry, that sounds as if you don't look after your plants - I didn't mean it like that, just that I gave mine an all purpose feed rather than tomato feed as I had been doing and it helped

[Aberdeenplotter]

Looks like powdery mildew to me. Pick off all affected leaves and put in bin. Then spray the plant with full cream milk. use a cheapie sprayer. If it clogs remove the top and clear with hot water and then start spraying again.

[bazzaboy]

Interesting ideas, thank you... I'll try both of those solutions and let you know the outcome..... Thanks. bb.

[bazzaboy]

One fly to the next... "Hey, guess what I've just found, melon leaves covered in creamy milk, mmmm, Yummee!" Right, done that (if it didn't look like powdery mildew before it certainly does now, have also done the "cruel to be kind" trick of severe selection, re-potted into larger containers and given a good flush with an all-purpose feed (used Miracle Gro, twill be a miracle if they survive all this!) Will now withdraw, leave in peace and warmth, and see what happens.....

[bazzaboy]

No, sad to report they haven't made it and I've scrapped them.... No great loss as was a bit of an experiment this time and will try again, only slightly annoying aspect is not knowing why they suddenly keeled over from being quite perky to wilting and soon very dead.... Was it something I said? bb