Fri 20 Dec 2019, 7:30pm video. It is hardy and used to hot conditions. It can tolerate heat and will do well under relatively shady conditions. In order to learn how to care for this grass, you need to know it’s main characteristics and we are starting with the following question. Other typical symptoms of lawn diseases include “frog-eye” patterns (e.g., a circular area of dead grass with healthy grass in the center), leaf spots, rotted crowns and roots, yellow leaves, stunting, and wilting. The causal agent infects the root system and causes severe root rot and root and plant death. So for your convenience, we give you our handy guide on how to grow and maintain Kikuyu grass. It causes reddish-brown to purplish-black spots on leaves and stems, and spreads very quickly. As an oomycete the pathogen thrives in the presence of high soil moisture and the disease favours warm conditions in spring and summer (Bransgrove, 2006). Patches can develop rapidly under optimum conditions and can destroy large areas of turf. Often mistaken for lawn grubs, a brown patch in your lawn can be evidence of a fungal disease instead. Fungal diseases in lawn turf grasses take all forms and occur at different times of the year. Cultural control: Mask symptoms with fertiliser applications. Keep the ground moist for the next two weeks, which is the approximate time the grass needs to take root. Description: Depending on the species, this disease may cause large rings of lush green growth to occur on infected turf, or may result in rings of mushrooms with plant dieback and hydrophobicity. Kenda Kikuyu is resistant to pests and diseases compared to most other lawn varieties. Description: In warm season host species this pathogen causes grey lesions with a dark brown margin. Copyright © 2016 - 2020 Fantastic Gardeners. Problems, Pests & Diseases. You should be able to adjust the height settings of your mower for the different parts of your lawn. Host species: Most turf species are susceptible. Infected turf turns characteristically yellow and eventually dies back with weeds often colonising the centre of the patches. It is susceptible to diseases in shady and wet areas. Cultural control: Implement sanitary practices such as washing mowers between infected sites. Lesions may appear on the leaf blade before the foliage dies and collapses. Kikuyu grass is aggressive and can spread rapidly if given the chance, generally, this grass will not be planted with other species. In warmer areas, Kikuyu grass can be highly invasive and is difficult to control. Host species: Most turf species particularly cool season varieties. Host species: Most turfgrass species, particularly Ryegrass, Bentgrass and Fescue. With little chance of bindii encounters, you will feel relieved knowing your kids can run around barefoot without any issues. Hawkweed Hounds . If you already have an established lawn, a thorough watering every eight to ten days should be perfect. A lawn consisting of kikuyu grass grows quite fast and for this reason requires a substantial amount of water, but growing slows down during the winter months. The damage caused by these different lawn insect pests is devastating and different in … Cultural control: Ensure adequate nutrition (particularly N, K and TE) and reduce plant stress. In favourable conditions the runners spread rapidly, making kikuyu a very suitable species for erosion control. Due to its tight growth habit, a Sir Walter lawn is mostly pest and weed resistant, less … Sir Walter Buffalo is a low maintenance grass variety. Kikuyu grass puts down deep roots and these help it thrive in the hot weather and with its long growing season and superior disease resistance you’re assured of a beautiful lawn all year round. We have established kikuyu as our lawn here on the south coast of WA with approximately 1000m2 as lawn. Pests & Diseases of Lawns . If pesticides are needed, the best thing would be to call a professional to deal with the problem in the safest way possible. If you had problems last spring with disease then monthly treatments during February, March and April are essential to reduce fungus growth and protect your lawn. Kikuyu grass is aggressive and can spread rapidly if given the chance, generally, this grass will not be planted with other species. Prostrate growth. Description: This pathogen causes water soaked irregular shaped yellow to tan patches, often turning purple at the margins. Cultural control: Reduce leaf wetness as spores are water dispersed. Kikuyu is a nice, dense, budget-friendly grass, that with the right maintenance, can look like it’s from a cover of a magazine. A warm-season staple of Australian backyards, as well as sports fields, pastures, public areas and golf course fairways, Kikuyu is an excellent choice of grass to handle Australian conditions. Main diseases: Kikuyu yellows, leaf spot. Large areas of turf can become infected, turning whole swards orange. Host species:Most turf species susceptible. Lawn insects include scarab beetles, leaf eating caterpillars such as lawn army worm and sod web worm, weevil insects including Bill Bug, and couch mite. The old style common Kikuyu grass continues to be a nuisance to many lawn owners in Australia, particularly when it invades a lawn of a different variety. Lawn diseases are not usually a threat to a homeowner's lawn. Still, if your busy schedule does not allow you to take care of your Kikuyu grass lawn, you can always leave it in the hands of professionals. However, as with all grasses if problems occur, we recommend: Pests – watch for Lawn Grub (for example Web Worm or Army Worm) and African Black Beetle and if found apply … Description: Symptoms exhibit as patches up to 1m in diameter, appearing in spring and summer. Patches dying off? Favourable conditions: Hot and wet or humid weather between 30-35°C. If pasture height exceeds 15 cm, slash to 5 cm to remove stem and rank growth and to maintain quality. Cultural control: Reduce thatch as it provides a food source to. Quickly appearing and expanding dead spots can be caused by a number of difficult-to-diagnose lawn diseases or pests. If you see these you should be able to manage it with pesticides. Description: Infected turf becomes blighted in small circles and patches at first, often spreading to destroy large areas. Kikuyugrass is a warm-season grass that spreads quickly and thrives in areas with moderate temperatures. ... Love Your Lawn . Most growth in spring, summer and autumn. 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