Message Board: Cricket: [CLOSED] (Fairly) Widepread disease

8th Feb 2010 by seanmichaels

I was wondering if anybody could provide me some advice with regards our cricket square. For various reasons beyond our control the square hasn't been cut since mid October. On Sunday I got a rotary on the square and took it to 1.5".

Unfortunately it appears there's been some disease. Certain areas show a similar effect to petrol spillage but are small and dotted around infrequently. Other areas where the grass was at its longest and where leaves had accumulated, the grass has turned into a white / grey mush. These areas are less frequent but cover larger areas.

The questions I have are as follows:

1.) Any ideas of what it could be?

2.) Should I be looking to treat asap bearing in mind we don't have a sprayer and the budget wouldn't stretch much beyond £60?

3.) Will the areas regrow ie from residual roots or will reseeding of the areas need to take place?

This is the first time I've seen anything like it in 4 years so was a bit taken aback. Thanks in anticipation .

8th Feb 2010 by Loammeister

Hi Sean

You'll probably find that like many in a similar situation that you've got a touch of fusarium patch on your square, although it would be more easy to identify with a photo or number of pictures if you have the opportunity to take some.

You should be treating it as soon as you can as you wouldn't want the result of a real widespread outbreak as you might not have any grass left for the start of the season. Your budget is a bit slim but do you have anything in the shed to treat fuzz?

Let's have a picture and see if we can positively id the problem.

Green Infrastructure is the way forward

8th Feb 2010 by Aladdin

Identifiers

From the posh end of the room!!

9th Feb 2010 by seanmichaels

Thanks chaps. Unfortunately I'm not techy enough to get photos taken / posted. Definitely looks like snow mould and dollar spot though.

Any tips? I was thinking of getting someone in to spray iron. Can a cure, light feed be incorporated in this?

9th Feb 2010 by Ken Barber

Hi seanmichaels, have you got access to a knapsack sprayer?

If not I would get some air to the white/gray mushy areas by tickling or lightly raking with a wire fan rake. And apply a small amount of iron sulphate as a hardener. I would also apply a light application of molasses and seaweed extract.

If your stuck with resources you could use a watering can on the diseased areas, buy the fe from your local garden centre and the molasses from equine outlet.

KB

a well balanced person has a drink in both hands

9th Feb 2010 by williams1

Hi seanmichaels

Would probably give similar advice to ken. Iron sulphate will harden up plant and close off disease. Dollar spot unlikely as it most common during very hot weather conditions. If you have taken a lot of grass off during cutting and leaves sitting on surface cud just be damping off. On top of raking, a light dusting of sand will be beneficial and help ameliorate slush and add some air. A cheap fungicide like mancozeb/pancozeb would also help. You will need knapsack sprayer though and watch the label!

9th Feb 2010 by Barry Pace