Fungus
Lawn fungus can quickly change a good looking lawn into a spotty disaster. Fungus is a general term for a different types of diseases that attacks all types of grasses. One day your lawn looks great and the next it is turning brown. This can happen very quickly and we encourage you to call the office for help diagnosing the problem. Different grass gets different types of fungus at different times. Below are the most common type that we see in our service area.
Brown Patch Found in Zoysia, Bermuda, and Fescue.
This disease is found in all three major grass types we service. In Bermuda and Zoysia it’s most common in the Spring. In fescue it is found all summer long. This is the biggest problem for fescue turf in our service area. You will find circular areas ranging in size from 6 inch to 3 to 4 feet. These areas will have a tan, brown, or yellow color. If the grass is cut high, the circles will be irregular and harder to see. In the morning with wet humid conditions there might be a darker brown border around the edge with a cottony growth on the leaves. The best prevention for brown patch is to aerate your lawn two or three times a year in the spring and summer, reduce shade in these area, and water only in the mornings. If your turf gets this desease it is best to call and have your lawn sprayed with a fungicide. Don’t wait the disease can move quickly an cause real damage.
Spring Dead Spot Found in Bermuda Grass.
Spring Dead Spot is the most significant disease to Bermuda turf. The fungus actually does its damage in the fall as the grass is going dormant. You will not see the brown colored spot developing because the grass is turning brown. At this time the fungus is attacking the roots, stolons and crowns of the grass. The soil temperature range is usually in the range of 50 to 70 degrees. As the grass transitions out of dormancy you will notice dead spots which range from inches to 3 to 4 feet in size. These spots will occur year after year in the same spot slowly getting larger for 5 to 7 years. Bermuda will grow back into these areas and may completely cover them by July and August. Although some studies show that the disease severity can be decreased with fungicides we found that for most homeowners it was very expensive with marginal results. Your best plan is to aerate this area to encourage the existing Bermuda to spread into these areas. The area can be sodded, but only after 6 to 8 inches of soil has been replaced.
Dollar Spot Fungus Found in Bermuda, and Zoysia Grass.
This disease will cause small silver dollar size spots in the turf. They will be straw colored and 2 to 3 inch circles. If you examine the grass blade you will find a brown colored lesion that girdles the entire leaf blade. The edges may be darker in color. The disease begins developing in early summer when the temperature is in the 60 to 80 degree range at night with high humidity and low soil moisture. This disease is spread by wind and water. Heavy infestation will coalesce and form large irregular straw colored areas. Dollar spot attacks the leaf of the grass first and then moves downward into the plant. If treated early a Bermuda lawn will grow the damaged leaves out and you can have good recovery. If you see the spots developing, call the office and we can come out and treat the diseased areas of your turf with a fungicide. To reduce the disease, sufficient water should be applied if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Do not mow more then 1/3 inch of the grass blade off at time to reduce plant stress.
Rust Found in all grasses.
Rust is a Reddish-orange powder that grows on the grass blades. It is a good indicator of weather you lawn is getting the proper moisture. Too much water leaches the nitrogen out of the soil reducing growth and to little restricts the plant growth. Both conditions encourage the growth of rust. Rust favorers night temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees and days in the 85 to 95 degree range with humid weather. Rust general does not kill the grass but will cause it to yellow. Rust is easily controlled with proper watering and cutting. Unless the Rust is severe fungicides are not need.
Pythium Blight Fungus Found in all grassess.
This disease is most severe during hot, humid, calm conditions. Small spots up to 1 foot will develop and appear water-soaked, slimy and dark. The grass will then turn brown. In the morning there might be a cottony growth on the leaves. The disease can spread rapidly causing severe damage. If it is noticed, please call the office to have treated. To prevent, water correctly and aerate to avoid compacted soil.
