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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-05-11, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 11.1994. PAGE 17. Lawn disease can ruin attractive lawn By Pam Charbonneau OMAFRA, Turfgrass Advisor The desire to have an attractive lawn can be thwarted when diseases set in. It is important to understand the factors which cause diseases in lawns in order to combat them effectively. There are three ingredients which must be present for a disease to develop. The first of these is a susceptible host plant - in your case your lawn. Secondly, there must be inoculum (disease causing agents) and thirdly an environment which favours the disease to grow and spread. Of these three factors, the one we have most control over is the lawn environment. Disease inoculum is often present without our knowing it and given favourable conditions, disease will result. If you suspect that you have a disease problem, the following diagnosis steps should be followed: 1. Note pattern of damage - frog eye, small patches, etc. 2. Examine individual plants 3. Note symptoms - discoloration, spots, mushrooms, etc. 4. Note environment where problem occurs - shade, wet areas, etc. 5. Sample at the junction between healthy and disease turf by removing a 10 cm square plug of grass. LAWN DISEASES Disease Symptoms Conditions Favouring Disease Biological and Cultural Controls Helminthosporium leaf spot Small dark brown to black areas on the leaf. As these develop, the centres become straw coloured. Spots may coalesce and cause blighting of the entire leaf Occurs at temperatures ranging from 3° - 27°C long periods of leaf wetness caused by rain, irrigation or poor circulation. Excessive nitrogen. Low mowing height. Enhanced by drought stress. Reduce leaf wetness by decreasing shade, improving circulation and watering in the morning. Avoid succulent growth in spring and fall. Raise mowing height to 4-6 cm. Minimize thatch. Plant resistant Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. Powdery Mildew Grass has a whitish cast and looks thin. White powdery masses on leaves. Gradually whole leaf turns yellow. Cool, moist, shady areas. High relative humidity. Temperatures ranging from 15°-20°C. Improve air circulation and reduce shade. Keep lawn growing vigorously. Plant resistant Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. Fairy Ring A ring of stimulated grass with normal grass on the inside and outside. Outward ring expands several mm per year. An arc of mushrooms is sometimes found in the stimulated part of the ring. Increased incidence on lawns with thatch. Long dry periods in summer following a wet spring. Aerify lawn to increase moisture penetration. Irrigate excessively for 4-6 weeks. Remove infested soil and replace. Cultivate infested soil. Slime molds Creamy white slime which develops into yellow or black or blue fruiting bodies. Do not damage turfgrass. Warm, wet weather in late spring to early autumn. Feed on organisms which live in the thatch. When conditions become dry spores disappear. Control measures are usually unnecessary. Are more unsightly than harmful. Can be washed off with a hose or removed with a rake. Necrotic Ring Spot Irregular or roughly circular patches often with green tufts of grass inside. Patches range from 10cm to 1 m with ring or frog-eye symptoms. Kills roots and crowns of grass. Cool weather favours the growth of this disease. Symptoms are worse during hot, dry weather. A problem on fine fescues and Kentucky bluegrass. Reduce thatch, light, frequent nitrogen fertilization. Can only be controlled by cultural means because there are no effective fungicides. Plant resistant species and cultivars. Red Thread Irregular shaped patches of blighted turf ranging from 5-20 cm in diameter. Damage is limited to leaves. Leaves appear to have a water soaked mark which turns a bleached tan and then reddish brown. Red colour is due to red fungus which grows from the tips of dead leaves. On fine fescues and perennial ryegrass - cool weather ranging from 15 - 25° C, prolonged periods of rain, fog or heavy dew. Supply adequate balanced fertility. Thrives on low nitrogen turf. Keep periods of leaf wetness to a minimum by deep infrequent irrigation in the morning. HILLS FEEDS Hwy. 8 West CLINTON 482-7706 A diagnosis facility is run at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to help homeowners identify turf disease and insects. Samples can be sent to Pest Diagnostic Clinic, The Agriculture Food and Laboratory Services Centre, P.O. Box 3650, 95 Stone Rd. W., Zone 2 Guelph, ON, N1H 8J7 with a cheque for $10 made payable to Agriculture and Food Laboratory Services Branch. There are five important disease of home lawns: Helminthosporium leaf spot, powdery mildew, fairy ring, slime molds and necrotic ring spot The following chart describes symptoms, conditions favouring the disease as well as biological and cultural control methods. Information on chemical control of lawn diseases can be obtained in Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Publication 64, Insect and Disease Control in the Home Garden. Other publications and factsheets can be obtained from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Information Centre, 801 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario M7A 2B2 or from your local county office. Tomatoes love the sun Continued from page 16 make it worthwhile, either, for a single plant growing in a tub on the patio can produce several pounds of fruit. While tomatoes are not without their problems, they are actually quite easy to grow if their needs are met Tomatoes are sun lovers. If planted where they get too much shade, they will become sparse, straggly and unproductive. While full sun is best, they will still do well with a minimum of six hours of sunlight. When it comes to soil, tomatoes are not particular. They will do equally well in a sandy loam or one with lots of clay. It is essential, however, that the soil be well drained, and a generous amount of peat, compost or well-rotted manure worked into the soil to encourage good root growth and help retain moisture. For container growing, use any of the commercial soil mixes. Survey shows that kitchen An adequate supply of water is a must, if your tomatoes are to be vigorous and productive. They will require at least an inch of water a week, more on sandy soils, either from natural precipitation or irrigation. Keeping your garden weed-free will eliminate their competition for water, and the use of a mulch will help the soil retain moisture. Tomatoes must have an adequate supply of nutrients to be vigorous and productive. An application of plant food when first planted will assure a good start. Then observe the plants. If they have good colour and are growing vigorously, don't feed until they have begun to set fruits. This is a,critical time. If not given an adequate supply of nutrients at this stage, their foliage will turn yellow and they will fail to set additional fruits. Feeding every two to three weeks as directed will keep your tomatoes healthy and productive. Right up to the first frost you will enjoy the same luscious mouth-watering tomatoes that you read about in the ads. PLANT YOUR OWN LITTLE PARADISE MAKING SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPEN Order your special tree today: Beautiful flowering crabapple trees, Super selection of weeping mulberry, Weeping pussywillow, etc., Crimson King Maple, Everybody's favourite! Our extensive Inventory lets you choose your favourite tree at very attractive prices. Better Service - Better Selection - Better Values fix-ups add value to homes Renovating the kitchen represents top dollar in payback in home values when selling your house, according to the results of the 1994 Renovations and Home Value survey of real estate appraisers by the Ontario Associa­ tion - Appraisal Institute of Canada. The appraisers ranked kitchens at the top of a list of 10 most worthwhile home renovation projects, with a potential for payback at time of sale ranging from 25 to 200 per cent. The residential appraisal specialists put bathroom renova­ tions in second place, with payback ranging from 25 to 130 per cent. Interior painting and decor, main- floor family room additions, and finished basements were also listed as renovation projects important in maintaining competitiveness in the current housing market, the appraisers said. Real estate appraisers are called upon by banks, trust companies, mortgage brokers and other lenders to estimate home value for financing purposes. The Appraisal Institute of Canada is the professional associa­ tion for real estate appraisers. The Institute awards the CRA and AACI designations to members who have completed a rigorous program of education and practical experience. 482-7869 1st AVENUE, VANASTRA