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Declaration bent grass greens problem?

9 posts
  1. Nuckolls Trenton B
    Nuckolls Trenton B avatar
    6/4/2012 12:06 PM
    Quick back ground we have 36 holes in Central Arkansas with Declaration bent grass. These greens are brand new as far as the seed goes. 1 course we renovated in summer of 2010 and the other 18 last summer. We have a had a problem with the cups that we cut dying. We noticed this early summer last year. So we started to put water on each of the cups that we cut. That seemed to help for awhile. So we tried to be proactive this year and we stated to put a solution on fertilizer, wetting agent, and water on each cup that we cut. While we were still in the 80's that seemed to help. As it has gotten warmer here we have backed down on the fertilizer as to not burn the grass. But now on both course the cup cutter plugs are starting to die. Also we have tried 2 different styles of cup cutters hammer type and currently are using push in type. It is not the same guy cutting cups everyday so that eliminates the human error as well. We have never had this issue before and can only link this to the type of seed we planted?? Anyone else having this issue?? Any thoughts or comments on this would be appreciated.

    Trent



  2. Robert Dorsch
    Robert Dorsch avatar
    0 posts
    6/4/2012 12:06 PM
    Are you taking the plugs out in one shot or two? We have had that problem when we attempt to take our plugs out in two sections.



  3. Nuckolls Trenton B
    Nuckolls Trenton B avatar
    6/4/2012 12:06 PM
    We take the whole plug out at one time. Unless we have one that falls apart but that happens very rarely.



  4. William Heaslip
    William Heaslip avatar
    0 posts
    6/4/2012 3:06 PM
    Trent-

    Do your set-up guys orient their replacement plug in the same direction as the cut plug?? If not, try having them cut and replace plug facing the same direction...may eliminate scalping or stress on replacement plug from mowing. I would usually have my guys pick a landmark and always keep cup cutter handle facing toward it when changing holes. Just a thought.

    Bill Heaslip
    Las Vegas, NV



  5. Kenneth Ingram
    Kenneth Ingram avatar
    18 posts
    6/5/2012 8:06 AM
    Try pouring a little Mountain Dew right on the spot before you cut the plug, 1/3-1/2 bottle. Corn syrup dries and keeps the edge nice and it seems to help the plugs survive. Cutting edge science from UMD. Kenneth Ingram, UMD.



  6. Nuckolls Trenton B
    Nuckolls Trenton B avatar
    6/5/2012 10:06 AM
    Kenneth is this something that you are doing on Decleration at UMD and did you see this problem while cutting cups on this grass?



  7. Peter Bowman
    Peter Bowman avatar
    11 posts
    6/5/2012 10:06 AM
    Kenneth Ingram, CGCS said: Try pouring a little Mountain Dew right on the spot before you cut the plug, 1/3-1/2 bottle. Corn syrup dries and keeps the edge nice and it seems to help the plugs survive. Cutting edge science from UMD. Kenneth Ingram, UMD.


    Finally a good use for Mountain Dew.



  8. Kenneth Ingram
    Kenneth Ingram avatar
    18 posts
    6/5/2012 6:06 PM
    Declaration has looked great in our plots but we aren't changing cups on it. The dollar spot resistance is great. Some bents blow up after 5 years but Declaration still looks good. Got this tip from my brother, a tour agronomist. Lots of times on new greens they have trouble keeping a nice edge on the cup. Especially on bermuda when you cut across the grain. They use hair spray and all kinds of things. The mountain dew definately greens up bent when spilled. Crazy I know. Maybe you've seen this on a putting green where people screw around and spill drinks. Give it a try. You are on the right track using a water bottle. Water the plug first before you cut. Your greens will be great once they mature and get a little organic matter. Good luck. Kenneth Ingram, UMD.



  9. Eric Tuchols
    Eric Tuchols avatar
    0 posts
    6/6/2012 11:06 AM
    Trenton-I am at a course that is in our 7th growing season with declaration on greens tees and fairways. I am in upstate ny so my weather is quite a bit cooler than yours but I can say that I have never seen this problem. When we get into hot and dry weather I always send our cup changer out with a water bottle to water the plug. Declaration is nice stuff if it is managed right. It is very aggresive at making thatch. Lots of topdressing, verticutting aerifing or it gets puffy quick especially in hot humid weather. Got any questions let me kno

    Eric



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