Where can I buy St Augustine Palmetto grass seed?

John from Florida – posted 12 September 2003 08:23

I am looking to purchase some Pametto grass seed. Does anybody know where it can be purchased. I need enought to cover about 3,000 square foot. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

redbird – posted 12 September 2003 09:35

Many warm season grasses cannot be propagated by seeds. They are propagated vegetatively – that is, by above-ground runners (stolons) or below-ground runners (rhizomes). Some of these grasses do produce seeds, but they are of low quality, low germination rate, and not effective for commercial harvesting. I think that God designed it this way to limit their aggressive growth. Other species (such as bermuda) have viable seed in their original stock (i.e., common bermuda strains) which can be propagated by seed, but the many hybrids – although much higher in quality than the original stock – are sterile (i.e., no viable seed). Researchers are constantly looking for ways to get good seed production from some of these grass varieties. Sometimes (most recently with zoysia) they are successful. Unfortunately, no one has ever been able to develop a strain of St. Augustine which can be propagated by seed.

What does that leave you with?Vegetative propagation can be accomplished in one of the following methods:

1) Sod – quickest and easiest.

2) Plugs – works well, with lots of patience. You should check locally to see if it is too late in the year in your area to attempt this.

3) Sprigs – tiny bits of grass with roots attached planted in rows in tiny ditches sliced with a machine designed for this purpose. This is generally done by a professional with an expensive sprigging machine – not by hand. Also – check to see if it is too late to get these sprigs established in your area.

Mike

redbird – posted 12 September 2003 09:35

Many warm season grasses cannot be propagated by seeds. They are propagated vegetatively – that is, by above-ground runners (stolons) or below-ground runners (rhizomes). Some of these grasses do produce seeds, but they are of low quality, low germination rate, and not effective for commercial harvesting. I think that God designed it this way to limit their aggressive growth. Other species (such as bermuda) have viable seed in their original stock (i.e., common bermuda strains) which can be propagated by seed, but the many hybrids – although much higher in quality than the original stock – are sterile (i.e., no viable seed). Researchers are constantly looking for ways to get good seed production from some of these grass varieties. Sometimes (most recently with zoysia) they are successful. Unfortunately, no one has ever been able to develop a strain of St. Augustine which can be propagated by seed.

What does that leave you with?Vegetative propagation can be accomplished in one of the following methods:

1) Sod – quickest and easiest.

2) Plugs – works well, with lots of patience. You should check locally to see if it is too late in the year in your area to attempt this.

3) Sprigs – tiny bits of grass with roots attached planted in rows in tiny ditches sliced with a machine designed for this purpose. This is generally done by a professional with an expensive sprigging machine – not by hand. Also – check to see if it is too late to get these sprigs established in your area.

Mike

John from Florida – posted 12 September 2003 12:38

Okay, I’m confused? According to this post there are seeds…

https://turfgrass.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000425.html

Unless I took it out of context?

redbird – posted 12 September 2003 13:32

John,The writer in the post you were referring to was considering putting seeds for something in his backyard (unspecified), which he wanted to have other than Floratam St. Augustine which was in his front (perhaps the back is so shady that he is considering a fescue or bluegrass – perhaps he also was confused and believed that St. Augustine could be grown from seed – his post is unclear, leading to the editor’s many questions).

Regardless, there is no strain of st. augustine that can be grown from seed. Too bad, there would be a huge market for it :> )

Mike

John from Florida – posted 12 September 2003 17:31

Mike, I appreciate your time and effort to clarify my questions… Again, THANKS!

John