weird weed in zoysia

aleicgrant – posted 11 May 2011 12:03

I have a weed that is driving me nuts. Its only been in a small section (10 x 10) in one area of my lawn but today I found it in another area.

Can anyone identify this week. Root is deep red with some purple.

and if you can identify it, how do I kill it!!!!

I am in Orlando FL

mrmumbels – posted 11 May 2011 12:21

Pretty sure that’s an oak tree. Do you have a laurel or live oak nearby?

aleicgrant – posted 11 May 2011 12:47

none what so ever !!!!!

aleicgrant – posted 11 May 2011 12:49

and if its a tree, why is it growing in my grass 🙂

aleicgrant – posted 11 May 2011 12:55

this is the area where the weeds are. As you can see no trees anywhere. Just palms.

hot day here in Orlando which you can see how Zoysia will brown up quick but it always comes back :0

mrmumbels – posted 11 May 2011 14:09

Looks just like a sapling I just pulled from my yard. maybe a squirrel brought it over. I have a kumquat tree growing in my back yard but there’s no kumquat trees back there

Can you get a better picture of the leaf? Is it just a few or lots of them. If it’s lots then maybe not an oak.

mrmumbels – posted 11 May 2011 14:17

When is the last time you watered and at what height to you cut? I would not let it dry up at all. Either water more or let the grass get a little longer. I noticed that the patches that dry up a little eventually lose their root system.

And if your soil doesn’t have the proper amount of organic material to hold the water then you will keep watering more n more to make up for it which in turn will cause fungus and eventually your lawn looks like mine

This is how my empire started going. The claim is that it’s impossible to kill and will survive any drought. The problem is that it goes into hybernation from heat way before St Aug will die from heat.

But yes, in 3 hours it’ll look pretty again

aleicgrant – posted 11 May 2011 14:22

was supposed to get water this morning but my irrigation system is having issues. Will be repaired tomorrow. I will shoot some more pics of the nasty buggers.

With the temps already in the 90’s here in Orlando, its going to be a long summer protecting my Zoysia. I have reclaimed water so I am tempted so water every day but just cut back the time.

aleicgrant – posted 11 May 2011 14:22

almost forgot, I cut about a week ago and my mower was on 5, the highest setting possible.

mrmumbels – posted 11 May 2011 16:09

quote:Originally posted by aleicgrant:almost forgot, I cut about a week ago and my mower was on 5, the highest setting possible.

When did you water last and for how long?

aleicgrant – posted 11 May 2011 16:26

I usually start watering at 5am every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. 45 to 50 minutes per zone

awin4me – posted 11 May 2011 23:58

I’m not 100% sure but it could be Virginia Buttonweed or another possibility is a strand of spurge.

I battle the same weed though. Use a broadleaf killer it’ll take care of it. I’d apply it twice over the area a week apart because its a pesky weed for me.

mrmumbels – posted 12 May 2011 06:27

I’d still like to see a better picture but instead of the weed I’d worry more that your zoysia is going dormant on it’s 3rd day. Yes it’s 93 degrees out but it’s going to be 90+ every day this summer. How long has the grass been down?

aleicgrant – posted 12 May 2011 09:37

grass was laid in late October 2010…..

now you have me all worried….last chemical treatment was 4-16

Cyper TC, Talstar, 16-0-8 Dry Fert, Celslus WG, Sedgehammer

here are some more pics of that weed

mrmumbels – posted 12 May 2011 13:37

quote:Originally posted by aleicgrant:grass was laid in late October 2010…..

now you have me all worried….last chemical treatment was 4-16

Cyper TC, Talstar, 16-0-8 Dry Fert, Celslus WG, Sedgehammer

here are some more pics of that weed

Still looks like an oak to me. My first though was spurge too because of the red stem but those leaves look identical to all my oak saplings. Tap your screen on your iphone to focus better on it.

Have you dug out a hole to see how deep your roots are yet?Did you amend the soil in any way before laying the sod?

aleicgrant – posted 12 May 2011 19:32

previous grass was completely dead. Was excavated out and professional round up sprayed then laid a few days later. Root system is about 7 inches

awin4me – posted 13 May 2011 01:52

Alec,

That’s a typical weed. I fight it off in my yard with a broad leaf kill that I attach to my hose. It takes effect pretty quickly. Your grass looks quite nice!

I’ll get the name for you, I have to ask my “expert” lol. She is pretty good, plus I can just pluck one up from the yard next door to me awin4me – posted 13 May 2011 02:26

aleic,

your weed is either Virginia Buttonweed or Purslane. Both are round in Florida. Google both of them and you’ll find plenty of pictures to compare to yours to see which is more likely. Buttonweed will produce a small white flower if allowed to grow ramped.

Purslane might very well be it though based on what I read at the UF site.

Here ya go:http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mv118

It’s a coin flip right now based on your picture. A closer examination of the leaf will probably tell ya.

Here is a site about virginia buttonweed and how to kill it:

aleicgrant – posted 13 May 2011 08:12

awin4me

your awesome !!!

to me it looks like pursulane because of the reddish root. So now to find out how to get rid of it…. suggestions. I know you say broad leaf killer but what exactly should I buy and how should I apply it. I have NO greed thumb what so ever…..

awin4me – posted 23 May 2011 23:29

Aleic,

Ortho Weed B Gone or Bayer Adanced Weed Killer will work. Both are handy at any box store. I prefer the hose attachment apparatus. Hook it up treat the area, give it 24-48 hours, you’ll notice the broad leaf stuff turning yellow. I’d resist the urge to pull the week just let the chemicals do its work. I’d apply another treatment a week later, its okay if you’d mowed.

Note: It is a pesky weed, so don’t be surprised to see it again

aleicgrant – posted 24 May 2011 18:07

thanks for the tip 🙂

also heard Trimec was good as well.

HomeTurf – posted 30 May 2011 12:27

It looks like Oak to me too.