varied hacfors Lead To
Centipede Decline
Centipede grass is a low-mainte
nance warm season grass grown ex
tensively throughout eastern North
Carolina in home lawns and utility
areas. Healthy centipede grass is
best maintained at mowing heights
of 1 inch to 1.5 inches. The natural
color ol centipede is a yellow-lime
green. Lawns heavily fertilized and
maintained to a deep shade of green
eventually succumb to disease, in
sect. or thatch problems.
Centipede decline is one of the
most common problems of this lawn
grass in the Southeast. Research has
shown this severe lawn problem lo be
caused by several factors. Soil fertili
ty. including low potassium levels in
sandy soils, excessive use of nitrogen
fertilizer and low or high soil pH (pH
5.5 is optimum) arc commonly asso
ciated with centipede dcclinc.
Nematode infestations have been
associated with the "decline" in very
sandy soils. The sting nematode
prefers coarse, well drained sandy
soils of the sandhills and coastal
plains. Centipede grass affected by
this nematode will become thin and
may even die during hot, dry weath
er. No nemaiacides arc presently ap
proved for homeowner use, so good
management practices must be used
to survive a severe nematode infes
tation. Gardeners whose centipede
lawns have chronic high populations
of sting nematode may consider
planting more ncmatixle-tolcrant
grasses such as bahia grass or com
mon bcrmuda grass.
Fairy rings arc large circular dead
spots or green rings (3 feet to 20 feet
in diameter) that will enlarge every
year. Mushrooms arc often present
at the edge of the ring sometime
during the year. During hot, dry pe
riods the outer band of soil of the
fairy ring will become hydrophobic
(repel water) and the grass will die.
Opening these areas up with a pitch
fork and soaking with water seems
to alleviate the problem. Roto-tilling
THE
PLANT
DOCTOR
C. BRUCE
WILLIAMS
Extension Area
Turf Specialist
the soil in thc.sc areas and replanting
healthy grass has eliminated the
problem in cases. No cflcctivc
chemical fungicide treatment is
available for fairy ring in home
lawns.
Ground pearls arc small scale in
sects that feed on the roots of cen
tipede grass and cause circular dead
areas somewhat similar to fairy ring,
rhc small (1/8 inch), round, creamy
colored immature ground pearl
nymph can usually be seen in the
soil of severely infcctcd ccntipcdc.
During June and July, the small (1/4
inch) pink adult female can be seen
slowing moving over the soil sur
face. Ground pearls arc a inscct
problem unique to the sandy soils of
select areas of the southeast United
States. No effective control has ever
been identified for controlling
ground pearls.
Improper mowing can be a major
cause of centipede grass decline.
Experimental plots mowed at 2
ii ~hes showed greater centipede
grass decline than plots mowed at 1
inch. More thatch accumulated at
the higher mowing height and this is
believed to be a major factor in poor
centipede survival.
Cold weather damage is a major
influence causing centipede grass
decline. I have observed severe cen
tipede grass decline in the spring or
summer following unusually cold
winters or following winters with
unusually warm weather and then
Ceramists Place At Show
Two local ceramics students, Jen
nifer Sexton and Shannon Nichols
of Supply, won first placc blue rib
bons and trophies for their entries at
the 21st annual Ceramics and Por
celain Doll Show.
The show was held by the Eastern
North Carolina Ceramic Association
June 26 and 27 at Lenoir Com
munity College in Kinston.
Sexton entered a dry brushed
deer, while Nichols' entry was a dry
brushed unicorn.
Their instructor. Rose Hadnot of
Holdcn Beach, received The Peggy
Award, presented to the best in
show, professional division, for a
Sgraffito fish design vase.
Hadnot also earned first runner-up
for a cut-out Chrisunas candle hold
er and a blue ribbon for a fired gold
bird design vase.
Two other students also placed in
competition. Carolyn Sexton of
Supply received a first place award
for a dry brushed duck box, while
Emma Ford of Little River, S.C., re
ceived a third place ribbon for a buii
and matador.
Awards were presented in seven
divisions: adult hobbyists, children
through age 12; teens ages 13-17:
professionals; senior citizens; spe
cial people; and novice.
Plywood Sale
Set July 1 2
A "special sale" on a limited
amount of used plywood will be
held Monday, July 12, at Military
Ocean Terminal, Sunny Point, from
8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The plywood is S6 per full sheet
and S3 per half-sheet. Sales are con
ducted on a first-come, first-served
basis.
CENTIPEDE SOD
Gressette Sod Farms
1-800-444-2993 FLORENCE, SC
5 8c Crafrs Ss,
s ^< 2 L?co,te? "
?Over 60
crafters
'Oft,
?Gourmet
Fudge
... . . m^mnt -:ifr-? i ? m? riQ-irm 'Sugar-Free
Miniatures ??wu arw^ecsr^^wa^"" _ ? . .
Tfie (liugerbreact House *
cA Detmhtjutty DtJJerent Place to Shop 3
tHB We Ship Everywhere |
| First Quality Crofts Wanted On Consignment Basis | ?
Shallotte Calabash f
Hours 9:30-8:00 Summer Hours 10-9:30 ?
C? Holden Beach Rd. Beach Dr. SW ?
P 1 1 2 mile from Wal-Mait 500 It. east of stoplight
^ * * *TT\4 f /r~- ? - ?? ? . it
1
Bring this to store listed. Buy a large serving
of Colombo Frozen Yogurt and get a second
of equal or lesser value Free
Good at Shallotte and Southport Express Stops
l*nrt 1 per customer Not redeemable tor c?*ft Ntf ??hd with any other promotion
r' atfj)' mm
24 Hours A Day-7 Days * Shalk>tte-Jct. Hwy. 17 & Holden Bch Rd.
late cold periods. Excess nitrogen
fertilizer increases the thatch prob
lem and makes the grass more prone
to cold damage. Never overfcrtiliz.c
centipede grass.
Centipede grass is not very
drought tolerant anil may be dam
aged during very dry weather.
Fertilization may increase the dam
age caused by drought. The use of
fertilizers low in nitrogen and high
in potassium will help reduce envi
ronmental stress in summer and
wiuiei. Pesticides are often the cause
of centipede grass decline. Improper
use of labeled pesticides or the in
correct pesticides can cause serious,
permanent injury to a centipede
lawn.
Centipede grass is very sensitive
to some herbicides and recommend
ed hcrbicides should be used accord
ing to label directions.
Centipede decline can be caused
by a multitude of different factors
and accurate records of previous
treatment are often helpful in diag
nosing the problem. Once die grass
dies in an area, centipede will usual
ly spread over the damaged area if
the old grass is removed and the soil
loosened. New sprigs can be planted
in these areas during the late spring
or summer for faster recovery.
Send your g ardeniny ? questions
and comments to The Plant Doctor.
P.O. Box 109. Bolivia. N.C. 28422.
July Yard Is Colorful
PHOTO BY MART HA HANNON
The landscape of Hob and Martha iMvaty of 94 Carolina Shores Drive, received the July Yard of the
Month designation from the Carolina Shores Garden Club. Rose of sharon, chrysanthemum, dusty
miller and a variety of annuals create a colorful display within the sculpted beds that surround their
home.
gu tcher Shop
Whole Bottom Rounds
roduce
USDA Choice
Beef Untrimmed
(20-22 Lbs. Avg.)
Save
70C/Lb.
Summer Fruit Sale
Large Peaches/
Sunblushed Nectarines/
Sweet Juicy Plums
Boneless Hams
Jumbo Pac
Chicken
Drumsticks &
Thighs
Fresh
Colossal Shrimp
Tender Yellow
Squash/
Zucchini Squash/
Fresh Green
Beans/
Fresh Pickling
Cucumbers
Lb.
Kellogg's Rice Krispies
$159
Angel Soft
2/$
* msrr v-**
Smucker's
Grape
Jam/Jelly
15 Oz.
Regularly $2.73
, ? 12 Roll White
Bath Tissue
Regularly $2.89 Each
Old South
Orange
Juice
Pepsi Cola
S3*
2 Liter - Diet Pepsi, Crystal Pepsi.
Diet Crystal Pepsi. Mtn. Dew. Diet
Mtn. Dew. Caffeine Free Pepsi.
Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi, 7-Up. Diet
7-Up
1 8 Pack/ 1 2 Oz. Cans -
Pepsi, Diet Pepsi,
Mtn. Dew. Diet Mtn. Dew
5.65.o -ft
m
FOOD LION
? v v : : : ?
Prices in this ad good
July 7-13, 1993. We Reserve
the right to limit quantities.
- - ?- ? >?
j
Cheez Doodles
Regularly $1.39