Question
Hi there - I live in Australia; however, I am hoping my situation can really occur anywhere in the world!

It's been a horrible wet and humid summer in Australia this year, with barely any sun.  

My plant has been quite skinny and weak from the lack of sun and constant humidity - but it has fruit the size of golf balls now.  I've been flighting a battle against mildew, early blight and god knows what for a while.  However, I think I'm losing the battle - the bottom leaves are showing brown lesions that resemble blight and beginnning to yellow.  I've taken off many branches, but the disease is spreading up the plant.  2 main questions:

1.  What can I possibly do now to halt this disease? I'm going to assume the worst and that it's late blight or something equally horrible.

2.  What should I be prepared for if the disease spreads to the top where the fruit is?  Will the fruit ripen?  Will it be rotten inside when I cut it open?

Thanks for your advice

Answer
Hello Kay,
It definitely sounds like the humidity and moisture have take their toll.  I've got an idea, but it's only an idea and I hope it helps.  Place rice around the base of your plant, uncooked rice, which will hopefully absorb some moisture without harming the soil or the plant.  The other thought is a bit trickier in that you'll have to make sure it remains contained.  A container of salt that cannot tip over would also help draw the moisture away from your plant.  Keep in mind, though, if the salt spills it will render the soil barren.  You may need to put some sort of netting over the rice, so the birds don't get it.  That would be hazardous for them.
I wish I had something better to offer, but this is what I have for now.  Rice really does do a great job absorbing moisture.  
Kind Regards,
KD Liz
www.thelandofgoshen.us