eldyfig – posted 06 June 2003 20:35
Attached image shows three leaf blades from area of 3yr old lawn of St. Augustine grass in Jacksonville, Fl. I have two separate areas of no distinct pattern that look stressed and contain blades like these. Remainder of lawn is doing well. We had a harsh winter and when springtime came I noticed bare spots developing in these areas. I laid down topsoil and managed to get good growth of St. Augustine. I recently laid some Scotts Turfbuilder and days later noticed this leaf spot problem. These problem areas occur in the area where I laid topsoil, but not all areas that I laid topsoil. Just the ones that were originally bare spots. Not all leaf blades in the areas are damaged, just enough to make the area look stressed.
http://www.geocities.com/figurelli13/great_outdoors.html
Is this gray leaf spot or might it be something else? What should I do? Thank you so much for any help you can give.
[This message has been edited by eldyfig (edited 06 June 2003).]
[This message has been edited by eldyfig (edited 06 June 2003).]
certified-in-florida – posted 07 June 2003 17:26
Looks like leaf spot fungus. Would suggest that you apply a fungicide. Also suggest that you check your watering habits. Make sure you are only watering in the early morning and that you are only watering when needed. One other thing to look at is your mower. Make sure the blade is good and sharp (appears to be) and that you are cutting at a good and proper height (3″ at least).
Might not be a bad idea to clean your mower with some bleach between cuttings (not over the turf though).
Good luck,
Scott
eldyfig – posted 07 June 2003 18:19
Thanks for the suggestions. I assumed the blade was the sharp since I bought it new at the beginning of the season. It might not be a bad idea to check it again. The mower deck is set to the highest setting it can get. I will actually measure it today, that would be good info to know.
I’ll give the deck underside a good bleach cleaning and lay some fungicide on the lawn. It has been raining alot lately. Guess I’ll do the lawn next weekend.
Will-PCB – posted 08 June 2003 09:01
Well, not be a turf master or even a professional at this, I believe I see something totally different in those photos.
The blade on the far right appears to be about average in health. The blade in the middle appears somewhat wilted. The blade on the far right is obviously dead.
It’s only a small photo representative of the larger picture (the yard), but I honestly believe it to be a bit too early for fungus.
Maybe Phil has some better clues.
eldyfig – posted 08 June 2003 12:54
I checked the mower height: bottom of deck is 3″ from ground, blade about 1/4″ higher. Removed the blade, seems okay, I can probably sharpen it more.
If it is a fungus, what part of the grass does it attack? These leaf spots all seem towards the top of leaf blades. If the grass grows out (what it has been doing since we had all this rain) and then the top part of leaf is cut and bagged, how does it continue to be there?
certified-in-florida – posted 09 June 2003 20:55
I would like to get Phil’s imput into this, but if I remember correctly, the funugs is usually present in the soil. You might want to see if it grows out of the grass. Once you see signs of speading, it is time. Sounds like you have checked all the items. Make sure you are watering only in the early AM and only when needed.
I agree with the previous post that it seems a bit early. I also know, living in the panhandle of FL, that we have had some very hot and humid weather in the past few days. Not quite what you get in the summer months, but hot and humid none the less (and a good bit of rain too).
One other thing I would like to know is what areas of the lawn is this from (along a sidewalk or drive? middle of lawn? sun? shade?)
eldyfig – posted 09 June 2003 21:50
One area is between street and sidewalk on side of house (I am on corner lot). Other area is near sidewalk close to driveway.
I may have screwed up the watering thing. Especially with the area near the driveway. A few times before the weeks of rain started, the area was looking parched and the leaves were folding in. I watered, maybe too much, in the evening between 5 and 6.
I sharpened the blade for the mower and it came out feeling alot sharper. Maybe it had a little influence. I assumed it was sharp enough since it was new, maybe not.
Thanks to everyone for the advice. I will listen up for any other views, and I will post back what happens after I mow Friday.
certified-in-florida – posted 10 June 2003 07:47
Sometimes even the new blades need sharpening. That probably has little to do with it, it is just one of those little contributing factors.
The idea behind watering in the morning is that you don’t want the grass to go into the night damp if you can avoid it. By watering in the morning, the lawn has all day to dry out. Obviously, you don’t have control over rainfall, but even that can be a problem and promote fungus growth just the same.
Without seeing the lawn, it can be hard to tell. You may want to see if it groes out. Just be wary of putting any more nitrogen on the lawn at least until it comes back (grows out).
eldyfig – posted 16 July 2003 12:14
it has been a couple of weeks since I laid some fungicide and I am happy to say that my leaf blades are looking great. Thanks for all the help.