Grass Diagnosis, Chinch, Fungus, Rot, What?

houturf – posted 06 April 2009 22:36

Hello All,

Trying to figure out what is wrong with my lawn. I thought it was chinch bugs. But looks like a lot of damage. Just greening up this year. Need to get it fixed. I have some pictures, here.

Location:Houston, TX

http://picasaweb.google.com/houturf/MyTurfGrass#

[This message has been edited by houturf (edited 06 April 2009).]

[This message has been edited by houturf (edited 06 April 2009).]

Alex_in_FL – posted 17 April 2009 21:06

My guess is fungus or disease. But it is only a guess.

If you have not lost your entire yard by now then it is mostlikely not chinch bugs or grubs.

To be honest, I would just spray the lawn with an insecticide and a fungicide both (or take a sample to the county extension office and get their take).

Best of luck to you.Alex

lawn hugger – posted 01 May 2009 08:30

most likely a fungus. I would apply insecticide and fungicide as prventative in spring(Alex suggested). And another fungicide in the fall. looks like large patch. recover: had large damaged area like yourself. all i did topdressed with sand/topsoil, fertilize alittle heavier than usual. within three weeks turf was back and better then ever before. But you must get rid of the problem first. So do like Alex said and then start the recovery process.

houturf – posted 01 May 2009 09:17

Hello,

Thanks for your replies. I have taken the a chunk of turf to a local nursery. They inspected it and say two problems. It has some Take All Rot. They say that this is common in older yards in Houston. Home is 50+ years old. They also said that since it is bordering a driveway and a street, the heat generated is allowing significnat chinch but infestation. This argument is bolstered because their is no damage under the shaded part of the lawn.

They agree with your treatment suggestions. What do you guys like to use for Take All Rot?

saltcedar – posted 01 May 2009 09:43

Peat moss is the organic approach to Take all Root Rot. Organic slow release fertilizers may inhibit reinfection by encouraging beneficial microbial growth.

http://www.plantanswers.com/root_rot_fungus.htm

rich0419 – posted 27 July 2009 00:41

USE TIDE SOAP(POWDER).WITHOUT BLEACH. USE ONE SCOOP IN A AREA ABOUT 10X10. SPRINKLE ON THEN WATER IT IN REALY GOOD CHINCH BUGS AND GRUBS HATE IT AND THE GRASS LUV IT!!DAWN DISHSOAP WORKS WELL TOO.TAKE 5 GAL BUCKET AND MAKE SOME SOAP LIKE YOU WOULD WHEN YOU WASH YOUR CAR. POUR IT ON.YOU WILL GET RESULTS IN ABOUT 30 DAYS. BELIEVE ME IT WORKS AND THE SOAP IS BIODEGRADIBLE! PASS THIS ON TO YOUR NEIGHBORS WHEN YOU SEE THEIR GRASS GETTIN EATIN UP BY THEM BUGS.