Hanging with Dr. D at University of Maryland

Hanging with Drs. Pete Dernoden and Mike Fidanza at Univ. of Maryland

Ok - I should have posted this yesterday - but I hope Dr. K (Megan) will again forgive my trespasses!

Rhizocs Active in the West
Spring has definitely sprung in the West with temps in the 60s-70s most of this week and lots of sun. Annual bluegrass greens are probably loving this weather, which is great since spring aerification and core cultivation has already started for a number of superintendents through out California and the neighboring states.

One disease that seems to be pretty active right now is Rhizoctonia Large Patch on bermudagrass and kikuyugrass.

(photo of Large Patch on hybrid bermudagrass from Craig Kimmel at Red Hills Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga, CA)

Typically a curative application of most Rhizoctonia-active fungicides will stop this fungus (i.e. ProStar, 26GT, 3336, Endorse, Medallion, etc.), but if you allow the fungus to rot the stolons significantly, you may have to wait for a long time to get adequate regrowth from the remaining plants. If the weather gets really cool continuously(<60-65f), it may take a while for the turf to grow back from the damage. In any case - it's best to treat early on high visibility areas or high traffic areas on the course, or wait until it's warm and sunny for the disease gradually disappear.

Turfgrass in Terrapin Territory


Yesterday, I had the chance to finally visit the College Park campus of the Univerity of Maryland. Maryland alum Mike Fidanza (Penn State Univ.) took me for a visit to see his old stomping grounds and to see the man, the myth, the legend, Dr. Pete Dernoden.

A tour of the Paint Branch Turfgrass Research and Education Facility was very impressive although diseases had yet to start on Dr. D's field plots.



I even got to see the wall of fame at the station with bricks inscribed with the names of supporters who helped fund the new construction of the research center. But "Where's Kaminski's brick?" I asked....



Apparently, according to anonymous resources, John got a brick engraved with all of the names of his female fan club friends, but it was so big that it wouldn't fit on the wall.

OK - that's it for this week!

Signing off from the Right Coast....