Transitioning from growing cool season to warm season grass? Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jason Dowling

   

   0 posts
   
   2/8/2012 3:02 PM

   How difficult is it to go from successfully growing cool season grasses to Seashore paspalum in the tropics? Any feedback would be appreciated. Looking to work abroad.
   
   Thanks

   
   
   
   
2. Wahlin Scott B

   
   2/8/2012 5:02 PM

   Jason Dowling said: How difficult is it to go from successfully growing cool season grasses to Seashore paspalum in the tropics? Any feedback would be appreciated. Looking to work abroad.
   
   Thanks

   
   
   I have never grown cool season grasses, but I have grown a lot of different grasses in the tropics. Read a book by and give a call to Dr. Ronnie Duncan at UGA and I am going to go with you will be okay. The grasses here have to be more aggressive that cool season grasses. Best of Luck and enjoy the climate, I sure do!

   
   
   
   
3. Keith Fellenstein

   

   0 posts
   
   2/9/2012 10:02 AM

   Never worked in the tropics but have managed both warm and cool season. My opinion it is easier to go from managing cool season to warm season than the other way but more important than the type of turf, is the manager...it takes the same type of personality and work ethic to succeed in this industry no matter what type of turf you grow.

   
   
   
   
4. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   2/9/2012 1:02 PM

   Jason,
   
   I had the pleasure of working with Mr Duncan growing Paspalum in Southwest Florida, after being a longtime northern turf grower. It is a transition that can be done without too much hassle. One must keep in mind the proper growing conditions required by the Seashore Paspalum and realize the further south you go the growing season may never cease at all. I was involved with dealing with salty water resource issues as the reason paspalum was chosen at our site, it had issues with fertility and management just from the water resource alone. I would tell you to take on the challenge if you wish to increase you knowledge of turf management and abilities go for it. I have been lucky enough to have grown all types of turf during my career and loved all of them. Each have their own spot on earth, in the golf world to preform the best then do best depending on the environment and need, resources provided to them. Good luck!