[Topcat]

I pulled the Swardman out today and gave the lawn a quick cut. After cutting I noticed stolons running across the top of the lawn. I've wanted to verticut for several weeks, however life events pulled me away for a few weeks. The stolons reminded me that I needed to verticut, so I swapped out the reel for the verticut cartridge and ran across the lawn about four times in different directions . After I got done with that I put the scarifier reel on and went across it about four times again. I was amazed at how much material came out of the lawn.

Now that lawn looks pretty thin in several areas. I've read that PGR helps the Bermuda spread, but seems counterintuitive since the way the thin spots are filled is by the grass growing aggressively... Since PGR is a growth regulator it seems that all growth will slow down.

Thoughts, do I wait a few more weeks for the grass to recover, or do I go with the plan of putting PGR down this weekend?

 

[SCGrassMan]

Following

 

[Movingshrub]

I have a feeling my position will be the minority position. My understanding is that Primo or T-nex slows down all growth, and that it slows down vertical growth more than it slows down horizontal growth. I believe the marketing angle of that is then spun to assert that PGR encourages vertical growth. Now just to locate my flame resistant clothes.

If you want to have some fun with it, split the yard and half, apply PGR to one section and not the other and see which one fills in first (assuming equal area needs to be covered).

 

[Topcat]

I have a feeling my position will be the minority position. My understanding is that Primo or T-nex slows down all growth, and that it slows down vertical growth more than it slows down horizontal growth. I believe the marketing angle of that is then spun to assert that PGR encourages vertical growth. Now just to locate my flame resistant clothes.

If you want to have some fun with it, split the yard and half, apply PGR to one section and not the other and see which one fills in first (assuming equal area needs to be covered).

If I mix up a batch, the whole lawn will get sprayed. Right now I am leaning towards spraying and we will see. However I've read multiple threads where folks tout the benefit of horizontal growth which helps it spread.

Any other thoughts out there?

 

[Greendoc]

I have a feeling my position will be the minority position. My understanding is that Primo or T-nex slows down all growth, and that it slows down vertical growth more than it slows down horizontal growth. I believe the marketing angle of that is then spun to assert that PGR encourages vertical growth. Now just to locate my flame resistant clothes.

If you want to have some fun with it, split the yard and half, apply PGR to one section and not the other and see which one fills in first (assuming equal area needs to be covered).

You got some flame resistant clothes in size small for me? When topdressing a lawn, especially in the quantities I use, I want the grass either to not be regulated or else in an extreme rebound period. What Primo does for me is reduce vertical growth, which I need to get the grass to get above the sand and it also dwarfs the foliage overall. Only grass I routinely apply Primo to is El Toro Zoysia. Bermuda does not need it. Especially not TifGrand. If anything, my sod grower warned me about over regulating TifGrand.

I also have to refrain from any intensive mechanical procedures when the grass is in limbo. Right now is not a good time, for example. There was flash flooding over the weekend. That has been replaced by persistent clouds. It appears the grass will have to figure out how to grow without sun. Remember that at no time is the grass put into true dormancy. It has to deal with excessive rain and lack of sun for weeks on end. Bad weather like this can happen any month of the year.

 

[Topcat]

So far two that want to put on asbestos clothing :lol:... any opposing thoughts?

 

[SimonR]

From my experience, Trinex doesn't help spread. It makes it grow more leaves lower on the stem as well as inhibiting vertical growth. This does give a greater canopy density but doesn't increase stolon growth over untreated.

Just my observations on my plot and my fertility program.