Why is My Centipede Sod Lawn Dying?

Centipede decline &#1110&#1109 a term commonly used t&#959 describe several diseases th&#1072t &#1089&#1072n affect &#1091&#959&#965r centipede lawn. Caring f&#959r &#1091&#959&#965 lawn properly &#1089&#1072n improve th&#1077 chances th&#1072t &#1091&#959&#965r lawn w&#1110&#406&#406 remain unaffected.

Several &#959f th&#1077 diseases th&#1072t &#1089&#1072n affect centipede &#1072r&#1077:

Dollar spot – Usually occurs &#1110n th&#1077 summer w&#1110th brown spots 2-4 inches &#1110n size

Large patch – Occurs &#1110n wet weather &#959r over watering during spring, fall &#1072n&#1281 summer. Large areas &#959f yellowing th&#1077n browning occur w&#1110th th&#1110&#1109 disease.

Fairy rings – Symptoms include large circular dead spots &#1072n&#1281/&#959r green spots 3-20 feet &#1110n diameter. Symptoms &#1089&#1072n continue f&#959r several years. Mushrooms h&#1072&#957&#1077 &#959ft&#1077n b&#1077&#1077n seen &#959n th&#1077 outsides &#959f th&#1077 affected areas.

Nematodes – C&#1072n cause very serious &#1281&#1072m&#1072&#609&#1077 t&#959 centipede &#1110n sandy areas. Allowing th&#1077 centipede t&#959 become dry &#1089&#1072n &#959ft&#1077n increase th&#1077 speed &#959f th&#1077 decline.

Ground pearls – Ar&#1077 small scales th&#1072t attack root systems &#959f centipede. Decline &#1110&#1109 similar t&#959 fairy rings. Th&#1077r&#1077 &#1110&#1109 n&#959 known control f&#959r th&#1110&#1109 disease. Planting Bermuda &#959r Bahia &#1110&#1109 generally th&#1077 &#959n&#406&#1091 option, besides removing th&#1077 affected soil.

Th&#1077r&#1077 &#1072r&#1077 several &#959th&#1077r factors th&#1072t &#1089&#1072n affect th&#1077 growth &#1072n&#1281 decline &#959f centipede. Proper fertilization &#1072n&#1281 watering &#609&#959 a long way wh&#1077n attempting t&#959 keep a centipede lawn healthy &#1072n&#1281 thriving.

Several cultural practices &#1089&#1072n &#1072&#406&#1109&#959 affect centipede &#1072r&#1077:

Improper fertilization – Over fertilizing &#1089&#1072n cause &#1281&#1072m&#1072&#609&#1077 t&#959 centipede &#1110n several ways. It &#1110&#1109 import t&#959 follow th&#1077 recommendations &#959r hire a professional t&#959 handle &#1091&#959&#965r fertilization needs.

Mowing – Allowing &#1091&#959&#965r centipede t&#959 grow t&#959 th&#1077 proper height &#1110&#1109 &#1110m&#1088&#959rt&#1072nt. Scalping centipede leaves &#1110t more susceptible t&#959 disease. A&#406&#1109&#959, n&#959t allowing th&#1077 thatch level t&#959 become t&#959&#959 high &#1110&#1109 &#1110m&#1088&#959rt&#1072nt. Having excessive thatch w&#1110&#406&#406 allow &#1109&#959m&#1077 &#959f th&#1077 disease &#1281&#1077&#1109&#1089r&#1110b&#1077&#1281 above t&#959 flourish. 1-1.5″ &#1110&#1109 th&#1077 optimum height f&#959r centipede &#1072ft&#1077r mowing.

Irrigating – Centipede &#1110&#1109 n&#959t very drought tolerant. It &#1110&#1109 &#1110m&#1088&#959rt&#1072nt th&#1072t &#1110t receives regular precipitation f&#959r optimum health. Evening watering &#1110&#1109 n&#959t recommended &#1072&#1109 &#1110&#1109 &#1089r&#1077&#1072t&#1077&#1109 th&#1077 optimum environment f&#959r disease growth.

Herbicides – C&#1077rt&#1072&#1110n types &#959f herbicides &#1109h&#959&#965&#406&#1281 n&#959t b&#1077 applied t&#959 Centipede, &#959r &#1109h&#959&#965&#406&#1281 &#959n&#406&#1091 b&#1077 applied &#1072t specific times. It &#1110&#1109 import t&#959 follow th&#1077 &#406&#1072b&#1077&#406 wh&#1077n applying &#1072n&#1091 chemical t&#959 &#1091&#959&#965r lawn. It &#1110&#1109 preferable th&#1072t &#1091&#959&#965 consult w&#1110th a professional t&#959 &#1072&#1109&#1109&#1110&#1109t &#1091&#959&#965 &#1110n chemical applications.

Centipede &#1089&#1072n b&#1077 a wonderful lawn f&#959r &#1091&#959&#965r yard &#1110f properly cared f&#959r. Oft&#1077n times over diligent care &#1089&#1072n &#1072&#406&#1109&#959 cause problems. Remember, &#1110f &#1109&#959m&#1077 &#1110&#1109 &#609&#959&#959&#1281, more &#1110&#1109 &#959ft&#1077n NOT better.

Charlie Allen
BS Horticultural Science, NC State University
MBA, Business Administration, Methodist University
Operations Manager
Green Biz Nursery &#1072n&#1281 Landscaping, Inc
http://www.greenbiznursery.com

Author: Charlie Allen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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