Can anyone tell me what is wrong with my watermelon plant? The leaves are very curly and small. It is a sugar baby and is just starting to form blooms. Thanks

I'm no watermelon expert, but that looks like aphid damage. And is that an ANT I see on one leaf? lol... PTSD...

I'm no melon expert either but I agree, Aphids could very well be the culprit on your Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus 'Sugar Baby')

Aphids cause stunted growth and curled, twisted leaves. You can use an Insecticidal Soap (found at most garden centers) for aphid control.

There is also a virus called Squash Leaf Curl Virus that affects watermelons too but usually with that disease the leaves have a lot of yellowing along with the curling. http://www.plantwise.org/Knowl...

I've been fighting (and winning yay!) and aphid infestation on my peppers and broccoli but have been watching everything else closely. I haven't seen even one aphid on my melons so I didn't think that was the cause. Frustrating. No ants Robynanne. I don't even have aphids problems here usually but I brought a sprout back from a visit to my hot aphid ridden home state and didn't quarantine the plant. Who does that???

JPak,

It looks like aphids to me too. Can you update your info to tell us where you live? It may be the beginning of a virus or disease.

I've learned the hard way about quarantine! I treat everything as if it has the plague for a couple weeks.

I live in Alaska, Daisy. I mostly garden in containers since moving here because of our cool nights and short season. I was a little concerned about a virus but I (thankfully) don't have much experience with them. A few of my celery plants had a handful of aphids, not many and I have been able to keep them off for the most part. However they started looking a little virusey . I was afraid the aphids had transmitted a virus to them so I moved them all outside of the greenhouse. However I may be too late. That's hard to swallow. I think I'll pull the melon to be safe.

I think that's a good decision.

Was your location always there? I guessed I spaced it. Cool place to live (in more ways than one). Do you grow all your vegetables in a greenhouse? In pots, not in the ground? Curiosity, once again, gets the best of Daisy.....( but curiosity makes you smarter)

My husband and I spent a couple weeks in Alaska once (in Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs) in the middle of winter. He wanted to see the Northern Lights. I discovered I am solar powered. How do you deal with the darkness?

Daisy

No I grew up in the south, then lived in the northeast for several years. Always had a traditional garden until I moved here. I feel like I'm having more problems in the containers. Mostly everything is in greenhouse, I'm sure that is contributing. Some cold tolerant stuff outside. Our daytime temps are 60s-80s but our night times are consistently in the low 40s. Thanks for the help everyone!