Figure 2 .
Bacterial wilt is a common and destructive disease of muskmelon and cucumber.
It is less common on squash and pumpkin. Diseased plants initially are dark green and wilt slightly during mid-day. Soon thereafter, the plants go into an irreversible wilt and die. To diagnose bacterial wilt, cut the stem near the soil line and squeeze the cut end between your fingers. Then place the tip of a knife blade on the bead of sap that has extruded from the stem and slowly pull the knife blade away.