Ohio: Tiny purple “balls” on grass blades?

SoloTSi97 – posted 20 May 2005 21:09

I just noticed tonight that our lawn has developed about 10 spots, each roughly 4-6″ in diameter, that appear gray from a distance.

Upon closer inspection, the blades within these spots appear to have the upper 2/3 covered in tiny purple balls. If I had to guess, I’d say that it looks like a fungus of some kind. If I touch the coating, it basically disintegrates all over my finger, turning dark gray (almost black). The blade beneath appears intact, however.

Any ideas? I’m afraid I will be little help in identifying exactly what type of grass we have. The house was built in 1998, and the lawn is whatever the builder seeded it with (we are not the original homeowners).

Thanks in advance for any help in identifying the culprit … and advice in getting rid of it.

-Bob

GoMURed – posted 23 May 2005 11:19

Hi –

I have the same problem with my grass too. I live in SW Ohio and I just noticed it on Saturday when mowing my grass.

The only additional information I can provide is that my grass type is more than likely a rye-fescue mix.

Bob, I would be interested in any information you receive that is not posted here.

Thanks.

SoloTSi97 – posted 23 May 2005 16:46

Today, I went out and took some pictures. I’ve linked to them here rather than including them, to save dialup users the bandwidth. They range in size from 600k to 1MB.

Spots in the lawn (1MB)Closer shot of a couple spots (1MB)VERY closeup shot (600k)

[This message has been edited by SoloTSi97 (edited 23 May 2005).]

SoloTSi97 – posted 23 May 2005 21:04

Got a reply on another forum that it is slime mold.

Found a web site that indicated it’s typically not threatening, and no remedy is typically necessary:http://www.american-lawns.com/problems/sick_lawns.html

Long story short, it feeds off of decaying organic material (I’m reading that to mean thatch). I’m planning to bag the grass (I typically use the mulcher) the next couple of times and see if it doesn’t clear up.

-Bob