Watering is very important. The key time to water is from the time the fruit begins to form until it is half grown. Too much water near harvest will cause the fruit to crack. The most serious is Fusarium wilt, a soil-borne disease easily controlled by planting resistant varieties and rotating crops. Cantaloupes and specialty melons should not be planted in the same location for at least five years.
Powdery mildew is also a serious threat to muskmelons.
Plant resistant varieties and use a fungicide to improve quality and yield. For more information, contact your county agent. The spotted and striped cucumber beetle can cause serious feeding damage and transmit bacterial wilt. Bacterial wilt often causes rapid wilting of leaves on a single vine, but the entire plant may wilt and die. Cucumber beetles should be controlled until the plants begin to flower.