bird dropping looking mold

einstein3018 – posted 30 June 2004 09:07

I have a bermuda lawn in the north atlanta area of which I just put down manure/compost top dressing,corn-meal,&lime a week ago. yesterday was the first sunny day we’ve had in over a week and a half. Its been raining constantly. I am guilty of cutting the grass with my new reel/push mower when the grass was still a little damp. I have taken it down to about an inch in heighth.At any rate, I came home yesterday and inspected the lawn. What I thought I had found was massive bird poo on the blades, but after closer inspection it looks like some kind of mold. I do not want to put a fungicide down,because I dont want to kill the bacteria in the clay heavy soil. Any suggestions as to what this is,and what I can do? It also looks like we are in for atleast a weeks worth of rain.thx,ein

cohiba – posted 30 June 2004 12:30

Does it look as though it is affecting the turf? Other than appearance? With all you did a few weeks ago, and with all that rain, I would think that some fungus was fed all that organic fert and has started to chow down reducing it to its simpliest state. Multiplying and causing the fruiting bodies you see as bird poop.

I think you will be OK when the rain stops and the sun comes out.

Also note that reel mowers actually cut better and wear is reduced on the reels when you mow the turf a little wet. Dew is the best all natural lubricant for the reels.

Take care and Good Luck…….

ted – posted 30 June 2004 13:56

yeah, but why did you lime and add amendments? did you soil test it first? you can even do a soil test for soil types which can tell you if you need to add anything to your mix. i think all of your organic stuff is catching up to you, perhaps too much too quick, and now you have a serious fungus problem, and don’t want to use a fungicide? Oh, I forgot! Isn’t the corn meal supposed to stop fungus? interesting…..

einstein3018 – posted 01 July 2004 07:08

I went to the Scotts.com forums and a gentlemen suggested it is probably slime mold. which is nothing to worry about. Thanks for all of your wonderful criticism ted.

ted – posted 02 July 2004 18:54

you should take it to a Local Lesco service center and get it accurately identified. you’ve probably got too much invested in this lawn to have a serious fungus problem and lose it. Cornmeal is not a fungicide! i think you may have caused your problems.