How to ID Seville

my308 – posted 06 October 2009 12:53

How can I positively identify Seville from Floratam?

I recently had 16 pallets of sod placed in my back yard that is now dying in the shaded areas. The vendor that sold and placed the job/product represented it as Seville.

Due to the poor condition, I contacted a different service to handle insect control and fertilization. Much to my surprise, that service stated that the “dying off” was typical for Floratam, which is not shade tolerant. They presented a sample at two seperate sod farms for further ID, which both confirmed Floratam.

Based on this info, I contacted the installer and supplier to advise them of the situation. The LS/installer has convientily faied to respond, but the supplier has reviewed the pictures I supplied. Generally, their response was it appears to be Seville, but also requested additional photos for confirmation.

As expected, I have conflicting stories, so I would like to find a source to research the two species myself.

Would appreciate any sources of detailed info.

Thanks

Turfguy_UF – posted 09 October 2009 13:12

The best way I believe to tell the two apart is one is a dwarf St. Augustine and the other is not. Seville being the dwarf. If it is truly Seville it should be a much slower grower, and thus be shorter than Floratam a week after mowing. This is hard to ID if you dont know if you have Floratam or Seville. But if you are mowing your sod at 3″ and notice it getting to 5″ within two to three days I would say you have Floratam. Also Floratam does not like to be mowed under 3″, where as Seville can handle cuts as low as 2″. Other than the height Seville and Floratam are hard to distinguish without seeing them right next to each other.

Hope that helps,TurfGuy

saltcedar – posted 01 November 2009 05:39

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MwCo341X_Zg/SNKOv6yPvRI/AAAAAAAAC6c/gsh4OeofU-w/s640/DSC03457.JPG

Floratam has distinctive reddish runners whileSeville is generally green.