Jeweler's Loupe Comes in Handy!

[minousbijoux]

I love to garden and am happy that most of my veggies come from my yard and are organic to boot. This year, I'm trying to grow watermelon, which really aren't supposed to be grown here because it doesn't get hot enough. Its a personal challenge

So imagine my horror and disappointment when my beautiful, blossoming vining watermelons started having random leaves wilting What?! Who?! How dare they/it! So I plucked some leaves and studied them. Nothing. Pulled out my loupe and took a good look - did you know there are a lot of inclusions in watermelon leaves? I saw a random aphid or two, but for the life of me, couldn't see much more evildoers. Now must go google "wilting watermelon leaves." Love my loupes!

 

[VRBeauty]

did you know there are a lot of inclusions in watermelon leaves?

THere aren't nearly as many inclusions in the leaves as there are in the fruit - watch out for those huge carbon spots!

Good luck with the watermelon!

 

[sonnyjane]

did you know there are a lot of inclusions in watermelon leaves?

THere aren't nearly as many inclusions in the leaves as there are in the fruit - watch out for those huge carbon spots!

Good luck with the watermelon!

Bahaha that's why I prefer to buy internally flawless watermelons... Much easier to eat

 

[minousbijoux]

You too are funny! Unfortunately, I'm starting to worry that its an alluvial deposit and I won't find any nodules. If anyone has any brilliant ideas on how to get things back on track, I'm all ears.

 

[daintyG]

Haha! The last time I went to my Mom's house, I helped her remove a splinter with the help of my loupe. She was amused that I was carrying a loupe in my purse with me. Only PS'ers understand.

 

[minousbijoux]

Everyone should carry a loupe - gardeners, medics, jewelry lovers...

 

[kenny]

I agree.
I use my loupe maybe 3 times a week on stuff having nothing to do with jewelry.

 

[Saoirse2]

You too are funny! Unfortunately, I'm starting to worry that its an alluvial deposit and I won't find any nodules. If anyone has any brilliant ideas on how to get things back on track, I'm all ears.

lol on the loupe!
Not sure if this info is brilliant but we know that consistent water is important. Watering heavy one day and light the next can cause cracks on the fruit. We go easy on mulch/coffee grounds- they keep soil cooler, watermelons love and need heat! For bugs, we like to spray top and bottoms of the leaves with a mix of 3 drops of Down soap to a quart of water. Probably silly but I cover the plants at night with plastic until the weather is sufficiently warm for them. Good Luck!

 

[minousbijoux]

Thanks. I think you're right and i need to spray the organic plants. i'll have to go looking for organic soap...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Yup, I use my loupe for random stuff....aging eyes suck!

cheers--Sharon