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Williamsburg,KY

Can you take a look and give any advise. These leaves are on my regular watermelons.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=225863

8/13/2014 6:18:36 AM

formerly RGG

I think it could be spider mites as the damage reminds me of the damage they make.They are resistant to most insecticides.

8/13/2014 7:08:50 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks Dennis, I believe it is spider mites. I took a look and oh my gosh....I couldnt believe what I saw. I will be starting my war with Bifen first, then more research.

8/13/2014 2:47:17 PM

Corbin, KY

Merit may help as well.

8/13/2014 2:53:22 PM

South Arkansas

Use a miticide for spider mites

8/13/2014 4:39:15 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Bifen label says it takes care of mites. I dont think I can afford the high dollar miticides. Any other products I can use??

8/13/2014 7:58:38 PM

Bellevue, Ohio

Try ebay and search for Forbid or Avid miticide. You can find a few of them catering to pot growers selling 1/4 oz for $10-$15. You are not selling the miticide but Pipets and they are sending along the miticide to practice on. I wish some of the fungicides were available like this.Here are two links but there are others.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FREE-1-4-oz-of-Forbid-4F-miticide-w-purchase-lightning-shipping-agave-AVID-/261545739286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce5574416
http://www.ebay.com/itm/free-avid-0-15-EC-Miticide-insecticide-1-2-OZ-with-purchase-of-2-pipettes-/151377550209?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233ece1b81
Forbid is suppose to kill the eggs. you only 3-6 mL per 5 gallons so it will treat a few times.

8/13/2014 8:20:04 PM

Bellevue, Ohio

Should have been buying the pipets, and use only 3-6 ml per 5 gallons. I have tried bifen and a neem oil and insecticidal soap, nothing worked but Forbid and Avid. I think that neem oil makes them reproduce faster.

8/13/2014 8:27:14 PM

formerly RGG

I learned to use Avid from Frank Mudd and it has worked very well for me.

8/13/2014 9:04:43 PM

sevierville, Tn

yes only avid and the like will work. been there done that(other stuff) didn't work !

8/13/2014 10:20:56 PM

Garner, NC

Go online to Green Resources in Garner NC, they are a company here in town, and they ship. Generic Avid, was $80 for a qt, Works like a champ. Thanks to Frank Mudd, I saved all my plants from early spider mites.

8/14/2014 8:41:51 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks, I will do my best.

8/14/2014 9:49:56 AM

formerly RGG

The biggest lesson here is they are a lot more difficult to get rid of than to prevent an infestation in the first place.

8/14/2014 9:23:26 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Ok, what I have in my regular melons is Southern Blight. I could not find any spider mites. If you look at my diary you will see what confirmed that the soil has Southern Blight.
Here is what the entomologist stated: This looks like a disease called southern blight, caused by a soil fungus. Try to remove the affected vines and make sure to burn those or bury them deep. Those little structures on the diseased vines are called sclerotia, and are like seeds for the pathogen if they remain in soil.

So I will be solarizing the soil when I can and definitly before next season and for now I will use my biological sprays to make sure it doesnt spread. Of course, it can be carried on the wind..just my luck. And yesterday I used my mister/blower so who knows where it went. Rootshield, Actinovate, Companion, Biota Max and whatever else I have on hand. Oh yea, I have some Piranha...thanks Mark.

8/15/2014 11:19:35 AM