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26 Feb 2011 by mwood
Not fertiliser but Primo Max!
Any idea on how small a quantity you can by Primo?
I was always sceptical, but it does seem to be regarded as product which improves rootgrowth,
Any downsides to using it on a cricket square?
Steve
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
Don't use on a square during the playing season (or for several weeks before) as Primo is a growth regulator and will dramatically slow leaf growth. You need the grass to be actively growing if it is to recover after the wear from cricket and so growth regulators should be avoided.
I'm not so sure about that mackay.
I've heard good reports of people using Primo on squares.
If there's a good root structure in place then the grass should recover - especially if you're adding new seed when recovering tracks.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
My understanding of Primo Maxx is that it inhibits grass growth and reduces the need to mow. You add ordinary nitrogen fert to make the grass green and grow, then you add Primo Maxx to keep the green colour but slow the growth so mowing is manageable?? Great for some bits of golf perhaps but not cricket. It doesn't proport to enhance root growth as far as I'm aware.
My suggestions for deep root growth (having been here before and being open to being shot down in flames) are knowledge of your table and any layering, lots of winter aeration, soil analysis, correct selection of an appropriate seed variety and if necessary a very slow release phosphorous fertiliser like bonemeal or better still bone flour. As always it works for me.
I suppose that you could use it at very low rates, and my above comment should probably have read 'be wary of using....' rather than 'don't...' but wear recovery will still be affected in a pretty big way, and this strong growth and good recovery is one of the reasons we tend to use ryegrasses these days. I would argue that there are other/better ways of encouraging good root growth and strong grassplants on a square without resorting to Primo (especially since the improved root growth is really a secondary effect of the Primo rather than it's aim). Also, if the grass is under any kind of stress at the time of application it will really bugger things up, and what square isn't during the playing season (or at least sections of it?).
I'll certainly be using Primomax on the outfield this year but definately not on the square, but would be interested to hear of anyones experiences about using it on a square.
I'm certain there was a thread on this in the past - but I can't find it now.
I've used Primo on my practice square a couple of years back. I've no idea whether it affected recovery though. I play out a practice track completely before reseeding it (each track'll get used for a month), so it's difficult to say whether the primo affected recovery as there's normally little grass left to recover when the track is finished with.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
I did try primo on the cricket squares last season, it's hard for me to say anything particularly conclusive about it as I don't think I had a great season last year for a few reasons, the positives where that it definitely it did improve the aesthetics of the square it really did look like the fabled billiard table, I did take considerably less clippings, and drought tolerance was noticeably improved however, something wasn't really right about how it played, and this is why I can't say anything conclusive as last year as I also
Didn't do enough pre season rolling.
Used activate XL, which I since found out causes some de-compaction.
And also had absolutely no experience of cricket maintenance during a prolonged heatwave.
And I cut the wickets way too short.
I did notice that in the later part if the season the primo had again controlled the second wave of poa, but this time it left a slight discolouration where the poa was
I think the most desirable effect I noticed was for the end season renovations, I used it to help the germination of the new seed, and I think it could be good for any pre season overseeding
Last year (the year of the maverick) I naively thought I could fluke my way into greatness. This year (the year of the student), I'm going by the book !
In summery I think primo maxx probably has no place for cricket, the whole lateral\ horizontal growth aspect should have been a big giveaway eh?
Smack my pitch up
I looked it up this morning and read this. Without going into detail, I'm sure Primo-Maxx is an excellent product for its intended purpose. The idea is obviously to save time and money on mowing large areas like fairways or awkward ones like slopes and banks by slowing down the rate of growth.
I cannot find any claims or endorsements for its suitability to improve root growth. There are some caveats also when using it in areas where the grass is highly stressed.
http://www.greencast.co.uk/products/primo-maxx
According to the people who make it and the presentation I saw, primo is not for fine cut areas
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
Tumbleweed, very interesting post, I have used Primo on my bowling green - but since given up - and never on the cricket squares. You are right about the benefit in germination but is it really worth the cost?
More interested in your other findings though. Your honesty is a great credit to you. I would urge you to challenge "the book" rather than go by it. What is right? What is wrong? Who wrote "the book" and did he/she write it for your ground? If you don't challenge, you stand still and that is not a good place to be.
No you can't fluke your way to greatness but will going by the book get you there? Be prepared to push the boundaries my friend, set yourself goals and you will achieve your aspirations.
Going back to the original question we took some advice and a 7.7.22
high potash fert this was applied in late sept and worked a treat.
I also use a seaweed concentrate (Maxicrop) this because they are the company that I have seen do the trials on increased root mass and it is quite impressive.
Rigby Taylor 'Activate R' is good for root growth but I'm not sure how rapid it is.
Greg
I would also advocate seaweed application 12 months of the year, when weather conditions allow, for improved root development and disease resistance.
This was on a sand bowling green but still the principle is good. It also was maxicrop.
regards
Steve
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
There are many top greenskeepers using Primomax on their greens to great effect. The guys maintaining greens at 2mm couldn't do so without it.
Not sure about activate or other root stimulants in cold, wet, low pourosity cricket soils.
Roots will massively increase in depth and mass over the next few months anyway, without special intervention.
I've always been sceptical with regards to seaweeds, but am coming round to the idea and now use as part of my maintenance programme. Cold treated seaweeds are the way forward here I think. BUT my advice would be to make sure you do the basics right with regards fertiliser and cultural practices - all the magic potions in the world will not make up for shortcomings in these areas.
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