summer. I was mowing at 4 inches all summer and noticed there were many

areas that dried up very easily. I started mowing at 2 inches this year and

much of my lawn is always curled up and dry while other areas are beautiful.

I finally took a shovel out a few minutes ago and compared the root system

of the nice zoysia to that of the dried up never wanting to grow zoysia. The

good zoysia has roots going down about 6 inches. The bad zoysia has roots

maybe half an inch down. I noticed this cause i was pulling weeds and it

kinda seemed like pulling up on a carpet where the carpet lifts up a bit. I

figured since it was lifting up the roots must not be in good. It has been

1.5 years is there any way to get this stuff rooted in?
here's the link to pics

www.coffeebrandy.com/pics/zoysia

What about watering practice?

Chemical or organic program?

First of all, I'm no zoysia expert but are you sure that's zoysia?

Secondly, if you are not on an organic program, I think that would cure all your ills with the least amount of cost and hassle. You could possibly have bugs in your yard that are working on the roots, or I suspect a fungus. To cover both cases, I would spray the yard with molasses at a rate of 3 ounces of molasses per gallon of water to cover 1,000 square feet. Then I would apply ordinary corn meal at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. You can reapply either one whenever you want, but you should not have to reapply the corn meal again until Memorial Day. These materials are not expensive, do not smell bad, and will not hurt anything (like pets or kids that might be rolling around in it). The corn meal will take care of any fungus you have (except rust and red thread, which you do not have), and you don't have to figure out which fungus it is first. Corn meal takes three full weeks to show results, and with a slow growing zoysia, it could take much longer to really show results. The molasses is used here in Texas to prevent root knot nematodes. It feeds the soil bacteria and somehow they will kill and prevent reinfestation of the RKNs.

By the way the corn meal is a fertilizer and a fungus control. You will not need to apply anything else at all, nothing, until Memorial Day. One thing you should notice with the corn meal is that your grass is much darker green than your neighbor's grass. Most people think that is pretty cool.

You should be able to get ordinary corn meal (NOT corn gluten meal) at any feed store, but be sure to call ahead. If they do not have it, be sure to ask who they know who might have corn meal. As a last resort, you can get corn meal at the grocery store. Look for the largest bags you can get. Usually grocery stores catering to the Hispanic community will have 25-pound bags. Do not get the ready-to-make tortilla mix. It is already mixed with other stuff.

Your alternative is to try a chemical approach. My biggest problem with using chemicals to kill fungus is that the label tells you to do it on a day where the temp will not exceed 80 degrees, the soil is moist, rain is not expected, and Jupiter is aligned with Mars and at least two other planets. That day NEVER happens in San Antonio. Once I tried corn meal, all my problems went away and then some. It is my fertilizer and my fungus control. I use it on all the major federal holidays (easy to remember).

In most cases, mulch mowing is the best approach. Zoysia is an exception to that, though. Mulch mowing usually not only does not contribute to thatch, but reduces it. With Zoysia, mulch mowing can make thatch worse.

Some time ago, I posted a rather absolutist statement about mulch mowing. I was told that I was incorrect WRT zoysia. I did a few searches so I could support my position and learned that mulching can increase thatch in a zoysia lawn.

Sorry I was not trying to discredit your advice; your point is valid with respect to Zoysia. My point is Thatch or Fertilizer type is not the problem here in my opinion, it is water related possible coupled with irregular soil type in the yard.

Tell me some more about the relationship between mulch mowing and thatch with zoysia. We don't have much of it up here so I almost never deal with it.
Is thatch an issue with organic zoysia lawns as well?

I just remember posting that mulch mowing never causes thatch and somebody (I think it may have been quirkyquercus) told me that zoysia was an exception. I read up on it to show him that he was wrong and found many references to mulch mowing contributing to thatch in a zoysia lawn. I didn't save any of the links and don't remember all the details, but I found enough to support QQ to amend my "never" regarding mulch mowing and thatch.

If I remember correctly, I was able to find a lot of information about it using Google.

The key to proper Zoysia lawn care is not to over fertilize as this will certainly lead to more frequent thatch problems. First application is in the spring after about 50% green up, and again 8 weeks later. For folks in the north you are done after two apps. For those in the south you get 3 apps 8 weeks apart. If you live in an area where Zoysia is green all year round you get a 4th app, and let it rest Dec, Jan, and Feb.

To answer the bag clippings question is yes for Zoysia. Eventually any Zoysia lawn needs to have thatch removed. Depending on conditions, type of grass that can be anywhere from every year to every third year.

Ching bugs attack St. Augustine, Florida has plenty of it. It might attack Zoysia as well. I suspect that the short root system on that part of your yard has a problem with the soil, wether too sandy, ching bugs, or any other desease, it disturbing the grass from growing the way the rest of the yard is, and the result is grass that it's barely hanging on to life.

My guess is top dress the area with some topsoil or compost, fertilize it, water it, then wath it for the next 4 weeks and see what results you get.

That's my best guess.

I hope it helps.

She said my soil was beautiful compared to most around here.

soil tests should be in this week.

Sprayed down some immunox today to kill off some fungus.

I just installed one pallet of Empire Zoysia today. It covered a huge brown out in my lovely St. Aug. So now half of my front yard is St. Aug and the other Empire Zoy. I also planted some on the shady side of my home but i separated the sod from each other by the witdth of the sod. I want to see if it grows in shade and fills in . I also dug out a 3x3 spot in the middle of a ST. Aug-Carpet weed area bordered by a P-77 bermuda side. I really want to see if the Zoy. spread or maintians or is over-run.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg0521135432317.html?3 2454

Molasses can be used to improve the soil in many ways. It has been recommended against root knot nematodes in Florida and Texas. Otherwise a general organic program helps to control bugs by not killing or chasing away the predators. When you stop using chemicals, you see a return of toads, birds, lizards, and other critters who help keep your garden free of bugs. Of course if you have cats then all bets are off.