Spot Topdress Puffy Spots on Bentgrass Greens Cancel The title field is required!

1. Ben Ellis

   

   0 posts
   
   8/21/2016 1:08 PM

   We have several Bentgrass greens (Dominance) and in random areas the greens got puffy from the crazy weather in the Mid-Atlantic. Puffy greens lead to scalping with a triplex mower, mowing cleanup laps daily, and areas all over the greens not just the cleanup being scalped as well.
   
   Has anyone thought of, or has tried "spot topdressing?" I am thinking of lightly topdressing by hand a few of the really bad scalped areas about twice a week as I check out the course, adding some bentgrass seed in the mix. We have just aerified all the greens and heavily topdressed and same areas are still an issue.
   
   Any thoughts? I will try to take pictures as we go to see that results that we get.
   
   Greens: Dominance Bentgrass, USGA mix, good drainage
   Height: .130
   Mowing: JD triplex (moved to solid rollers 2 weeks ago), daily mowing including cleanup laps
   Location: Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland

   
   
   
   
2. Charles Lafferty

   

   0 posts
   
   8/22/2016 9:08 AM

   Are you using any growth regulation on the greens? What is your annual N input? Have you done any recent DMI applications? Finally, have you had some strong thunderstorms recently? Trimmit can make them a touch puffy towards the end of the year, maybe look at N inputs and cut back accordingly because thunderstorms can give you a really good shot of N up to .25N. Sounds like some segregates due to age of the greens. Try just primo if you were using trimmit and cut back on N and try simple chemistry. Without seeing it these are a few things to look at. Spot topdressing might cause issues later on. Good Luck

   
   
   
   
3. Joshua Sawyer

   

   0 posts
   
   8/22/2016 1:08 PM

   I have done the spot topdressing thing to combat thin cleanups or isolated algae. I don't think I would do it every week in fear of modifying the overall contours. If they need it that badly, you are better off doing the entire green to achieve the uniformity you would be looking for.

   
   
   
   
4. Jeffrey Sexton

   

   0 posts
   
   8/22/2016 3:08 PM

   Place front solid rollers on your cutting units until the humidity and hot weather stops. The scalping will go away. Good luck