A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods for Centipedegrass
Centipedegrass is a perennial sod-forming broadleaf lawn plant of the genus Eremochloa in the grass family (Poaceae), with deep roots and tolerance to drought, poor soil, and shady wet environments, a relatively long green period, rapid growth, strong invasiveness and regeneration ability, fast lawn formation, high coverage, a thick grass layer, and tolerance of extensive management, making it an ideal groundcover material for establishing all kinds of lawns as well as for highway slope protection, ridge protection, and embankment protection. Let's take a look below at the cultivation methods for centipedegrass!
Growth Habits of Centipedegrass
Centipedegrass likes light, tolerates shade, tolerates drought, and is relatively tolerant of trampling. In the Xiamen area it turns green in mid-March and turns yellow by the end of December, with a long green period. It likes sunlight and loose soil; if the soil can be kept moist and there is no frost in winter, it can stay green all year round. Its narrow leaves and stolons lie flat on the ground, forming a dense and even lawn with almost no invasion by other weeds. It tolerates pruning, resists harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide, and has good dust-absorbing and dust-retaining properties.
Propagation Methods of Centipedegrass
Centipedegrass is roughly similar to other turf plants. When winter comes, the seeds mature and fall to the ground, giving it a certain ability to self-seed, so it can be used to establish a lawn by direct seeding. Its vegetative propagation ability is also very strong, and the customary methods of lawn establishment are transplanting grass blocks and burying stolons. Generally, every 1 sq m of turf can establish 6 to 8 sq m of lawn.
Cultivation Methods of Centipedegrass
1. Soil: Centipedegrass grows relatively slowly in vertical direction and thrives in moderately acidic soil with low fertility. When a large amount of fertilizer is applied and the soil pH is very high, it is prone to dying off.
2. Weeding: Centipedegrass grows vigorously and covers the ground densely, making it hard for other weeds to invade. Even vigorous weeds such as purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) and goosegrass (Eleusine indica) can hardly find an opportunity, which reduces weeding work to a certain extent.
3. Fertilizing: During the growing season of centipedegrass, the monthly nitrogen application rate should be 0.05 to 0.15 kg per 100 sq m. It is more prone to iron deficiency symptoms than St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), and its leaves often turn yellow and chlorotic. Especially after applying nitrogen fertilizer, iron needs to be supplemented. Under high maintenance and management levels, excessive thatch accumulation is likely to occur.
4. Pruning: Pruning is one of the most basic measures in all lawn management and requires considerable manpower and material resources. Because the stems and leaves of centipedegrass lie flat on the ground, the lawn it forms is naturally even and beautiful. Even during the growing season from May to September, it does not need frequent pruning, saving a certain amount of machinery and labor costs compared with other lawns.