Fungus Problem

bwclark – posted 24 October 2005 12:31

I had new dwarf tall fescue sod installed in May. I noticed orange/yellow/brown dying grass one month later. I believed it was fungus caused, and Ag inspector checked under microscope and said it was. I tried Bayer Advance Fungus Control and Daconil since June. Not much improvement. I live in N.Calif. coastal climate with high temps <70F and moderate temps of 50F. Lots of high humidity and fog/drizzle in the Summer. The grass problem is mostly in shaded sections. I have now been able to determine the fungus type…. Pythium. Grass looks water soaked in areas with small spots of white pudding like clumps. Grass eventually dies off after turning orange/yellow/brown. This dwarf tall fescue in this fog ridden coastal area is dense and some in shade. I think it was in the sod that was installed in May and has been there all along but not able to get rid of it with what I had available. Some of the weather improvement ie less fog may have helped it stay healthy but with some rain, increased shade, and some more dew/fog, it is back.

I have determined that I will use the following: contact spray – Teremec SP (Chlorneb); and systemic – Chipco Aliette (fosetyl-AL). Very expensive solution but I don’t know what else I can do given the circumstances. There are no homeowners retail available so I have hit the Internet and am ordering online and will spray myself.Here is a good description:http://turfgrassmanagement.psu.edu/turfdis7.cfm

If anyone has a better idea please respond.

Thanks,Bob

[This message has been edited by bwclark (edited 24 October 2005).]

tommy – posted 25 October 2005 09:16

Usually when a grass is not doing well in a particular climate, its better to switch grass types- rather than continually fighting nature……..and in your case, complete renovation would not be neccesary! Simply mow the exsisting lawn short (1 inch),rake the area to open up the turf canopy, and seed a mixture of perennial rye and red fescue into the exsisting lawn.

UpNorth – posted 26 October 2005 17:57

bwoho ahahaha…hey bw it’s me UpNorth !!! we meet again!