Horticulture Hotline 05/28/18
Is it natural or a coincidence? Just when the colleges and
high schools let out for the summer, many of your lawns got “slimed” this past
week! I have not seen any “TPed” houses; however, I have seen many lawns with
cotton pieces in them. How about those termite swarmers?
Many people coming in to Possum’s are concerned over a black
film over the leaf blades of grass. What you see is the fruiting body of a
fungus that is decomposing thatch and other organic matter in the soil. When
the fungus tries to reproduce, it sends it’s spores up the leaf blade of the
grass where it is higher up in the air, so the wind will catch a spore more
easily. With the spore up in the air, it will travel further also. This fungus
is called slime mold.
Slime mold does not hurt the grass, except for the shading
of the sun from the leaf surface where photosynthesis takes place. The weather
was perfect for this mold to want to reproduce. Overcast, rainy and humid days
are ideal conditions for this fungus.
Since slime mold’s
main purpose is to decompose organic matter in the soil and it really does not
damage the grass, I have never recommended any chemical control for slime
molds. I do suggest you spray it off of the leaf blades of your grass with a
hose if you like. In a commercial setting or golf course (read and follow
product label), you could use Protect DF.
All grasses are a susceptible host, but remember the spores
are just using the grass like a ladder for a little elevation. Slime mold is
helping to break down thatch and other organic matter, which is a good thing.
Mushrooms are also popping up in people’s lawn for many of
the same reasons. Mushrooms do not hurt the yard typically and will go away
when the environmental conditions change.
The environmental conditions are perfect for termite swarms
also. If you see a bunch of winged insects flying around in your house or in
your yard, contact the pest management company that has the bond on your house.
Swarming termites could be a sign of a larger problem.
The cotton pieces in people’s yard are just people
topdressing with cotton burr compost. The 2 cuft bags have been screened one
more time than the 3 cuft bags, so you get less cotton balls. The benefits of
topdressing with cotton burr compost will have to be another subject for
another week. My column inches are running out fast.
With all the rain, I’m seeing some mighty hungry grass.
Always read, understand and follow product label. The product
label is a Federal Law.
