shallow rooted poa Cancel The title field is required!

1. Bobby Jaeger

   

   0 posts
   
   7/26/2013 2:07 PM

   I have some poa on a few greens with real shallow roots. Because of this, its getting excessive top growth, thus scalping when mowed. I just aerified with slicing tines to not disturb the surface, and topdressed, in hopes to encourage some deeper root growth. Anyone have other suggestions, cultural practice or product you'd recommend? (Greens are push up greens)
   
   Thanks,
   
   Bobby Jaeger
   Superintendent
   Lake Tahoe Golf Course

   
   
   
   
2. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   7/26/2013 4:07 PM

   Annual Poa tends to have shallow roots vs perennial types of Poa which will do better on roots. Reality is Poa is, as the season goes on a shallow rooting cool season plant. We have Poa/Bent greens and often when changing cups can see the difference putting a cup in an area of Poa Dominant vs Bent Dominant as far as root mass and quality is concerned. This is the reality of growing Poa not much you can do at this time of year. One always wants to promote perennial types over annual and push rooting in the fall and spring to survive the heat of summer. Our greens are over 45 yrs old and soil based with a sand topdressing topping that has created a very nice rooting zone on the top. We do have excellent rooting of the Poa here, when changing cups this time of year often find some spots though where roots are shallow, it is just the nature of the Poa beast as we would say. When the day temperatures get over 90 we do syringe these areas often and use wetting agents to keep it happy! The Bentgrass is happy but the Poa is another story...however it is the deal one has with very old greens that play well and members enjoy here in Chicago area.
   
   GreggR

   
   
   
   
3. Egan Bryce

   
   7/30/2013 8:07 PM

   Have you looked at your fertility program? Perhaps top growth is being encouraged by the fert/chems you are (or aren't) putting down. We have had good results with a couple of products Radicular and Radiate. They push root growth (especially Radiate because it is plant hormones) and we stay on the Primo during the hot months (see research about PGRs and growing degree days at http://turf.wisc.edu/growing-degree-day ... intervals/). Once it cools down, then you can get aggressive about getting it out of there. GO RAMS!

   
   
   
   
4. Bobby Jaeger

   

   0 posts
   
   8/5/2013 3:08 PM

   Bryce Egan said: Have you looked at your fertility program? Perhaps top growth is being encouraged by the fert/chems you are (or aren't) putting down. We have had good results with a couple of products Radicular and Radiate. They push root growth (especially Radiate because it is plant hormones) and we stay on the Primo during the hot months (see research about PGRs and growing degree days at http://turf.wisc.edu/growing-degree-day ... intervals/). Once it cools down, then you can get aggressive about getting it out of there. GO RAMS!

   
   
   
   
   Thanks Bryce, I'm awaiting some soil and petiole test results. In the meantime I've added a couple products Prospect and Acadian to my greens program. Where are you working these days? I'm expecting big things from our Rams football team this year (not sure why) hopefully they're not a let down!