Used Scott’s liquid turf builder with plus 2 weed control on st Augustine grass

Ashurst – posted 23 August 2014 16:44

I used Scott’s liquid turf builder with plus 2 weed control today on my St Augustine grass. I did not realize that it is not for St Augustine grass as have used the liquid turf builder for many years. I have been watering my lawn since application. How much water do I need to apply and for how long? I just want my lawn to be like it was before application. Any ideas??? I do not want to lose my grass.

Phil Busey – posted 23 August 2014 18:22

Depending on how hard it was hit, it could take at least 3 weeks or maybe never.

Ashurst – posted 23 August 2014 18:54

quote:Originally posted by Phil Busey:Depending on how hard it was hit, it could take at least 3 weeks or maybe never.

Hi Phil not sure what you mean….I was asking how much water do I need to wash it away. I have been watering for 8 hours…

Phil Busey – posted 23 August 2014 23:46

It’s anybody’s guess what’s in this stuff because Scotts Miracle-Gro does not make that information available in a sample label that can be found on their web site. Assuming that this is a 2,4-D + mecoprop mixture, no amount of water will have much effect a few hours after application. A damaging amount of these herbicides are absorbed by plant foliage within hours after application. Once the active ingredients are inside the plant it will not wash away. What I meant to say is that you will not know how bad this is for a few weeks.

Ashurst – posted 24 August 2014 07:37

Hi Phil, I watered my grass immediately after app. While watering I called Scott’s. They said that since I watered that I had washed away all of it. Label says not to water for 48 hours. I watered for 18 hours straight product never dried on grass. Label says 1.91 percent 2,4D. I am watering again right now. Scott’s said I only had to water each zone 30 minutes to totally wash away. What do you say?

Phil Busey – posted 24 August 2014 19:02

I am hopeful because you started watering immediately. Mecoprop also called MCPP is a usual component of 2,4-D mixtures and in my research is much more harmful to St. Augustinegrass than 2,4-D. Formulation matters a lot. Ester formulations of 2,4-D and mecoprop, for example ethylhexyl ester, are much more destructive than amine formulations for example dimethyl-amine salt. Also, the amine formulations are highly soluble in water, which the ester formulations are not. So if your formulation was amine that would be more like to wash off the leaves with water. While plant roots do uptake 2,4-D especially the amine formulation, most of the destruction is probably due to foliar uptake due in part to the great plant-chemical contact are from spraying the leaves. Some of these points and other facts about 2,4-D can be confirmed in this publication by Oregon State University’s National Pesticide InformationCenter: http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/2,4-DTech.pdfAnother publication that is helpful is Purdue University fact sheet:http://www.btny.purdue.edu/weedscience/2004/articles/amineester04.pdf

Ashurst – posted 25 August 2014 17:34

I watered for 28 hours non-stop immediately after app. Then it rained last night . The formulation is 24 d , dimeth salt 2.29 Mecoprop dimeth salt 1.15 dichlorprop-p di meth salt 1.13 Other ingredients95.43 I am planning on watering again tonight unless you say no . Now worried about sod web worms as i am getting them from all the water . What say you? No damage yet been over 48 hours.

Ashurst – posted 25 August 2014 17:57

One more thing, Phil. The label says not to water for48 hours. That makes me think that it means that the grass has to absorb thru the leaves and not the roots. If the roots, it would say to water ASAP. What say you? I called Scott’s again and she seemed to think I would see damage within a “few days” which she says is 4-5 days.

Phil Busey – posted 26 August 2014 09:04

I agree and it’s a lot faster to absorb than 48 hours. The 4-5 days is about right. No more than 7 days probably for early symptoms.

Ashurst – posted 26 August 2014 12:29

I have tiny bit of clover in yard. It has received zero damage as of right now. It has now been 37+hours. I see no damage at this point.

Phil Busey – posted 26 August 2014 13:13

Clover may not be the best sentinel. Some of the more susceptible broadleaf plants are lambsquarters and pigweed, daisies, pelitory, cupid’s shaving brush, and dollarweed.

Ashurst – posted 26 August 2014 15:30

I only have the clover in the yard …i was using the turf builder to build the turf and green up. I was using the clover as way to tell if there was any damage yet. I figured that the clover would be wilting by now.