Zoysia Diseases

Brown patch, leaf spot, and rust are also common Zoysia grass problems.

Brown patch is probably the most prevalent Zoysia grass disease, with patches of Zoysia dying off. These dead patches of grass start small but can quickly spread in warm conditions. You can typically identify this Zoysia disease by its distinct brown ring that encircles a green center.  Although fungal spores of brown patch cannot be fully eliminated, keeping Zoysia healthy will make it less susceptible to the disease. Fertilize only when needed and water in the morning after all dew has dried.

Treatment and Prevention

• Reduce the presence of active fungi.  Clean grass residue of mower after cutting affected areas on a sunlit hard surface such as a driveway.  As the sun dries the residue, it will kill the fungus and prevent transplanting the fungus to healthy areas.
• Deter vigorous growth of a susceptible grass.  Fast acting chemical fertilizers high in nitrogen cause a flush of succulent growth that is very susceptible to brown patch.  Use only slow acting organic fertilizers.
• Eliminate lawn thatch greater than 0.5".  Thatch is an excellent "home" for the fungus because of its water holding properties.
• Reduce compacted soil.  Aeration facilitates surface drainage and allows air and nutrients to get to roots and soil biolife.
• Make sure there is adequate soil biolife.  Beneficial biolife (bacteria and enzymes) feed on harmful fungus; decompose thatch turning it into healthy lawn humus and transform nutrients and trace elements into nutrients for your lawn.  I recommend Bio-enhanced liquid dethatcher.
• Feed your soil biolife.  One of the best biolife foods is molasses.   Molasses has over 100 complex sugars that feed a significantly more diversity of microbes.  I recommend Nature's Magic (a combination of Humic acid – sometimes called liquid humus, processed seaweed and molasses supplemented with over 30 trace elements and plant hormones.
• Refrain from using chemical fungicides.  Although these kill the Brown Patch fungus, they also kill the biolife that will naturally eliminate them.  Horticultural Cornmeal is a favorite food of a certain very friendly Good Fungus, called Trichoderma. This Fungus attacks several common Bad Fungi that attack Lawn grasses, specifically Sclerotinia (‘Dollar Spot'), Sclerotium (‘Southern Blight' and other diseases), and Rhizoctonia (‘Brown Patch').  Note: horticultural cornmeal is not corn gluten meal.  Corn gluten meal is an excellent pre-emergent weed controller but has no effect on fungi. The horticultural cornmeal found in our NPP (Natural Plant Protection) is the organic fungus controller. When used every 90 days, NPP will keep all (yes all) turf fungus at bay.
• Irrigate only when needed and then irrigate deeply (6-8").  Irrigate during the pre-dawn hours or early morning so surface water can evaporate before the afternoon day heat arrives.  Never irrigate in the late afternoon or evening.

Leaf Spot - Melting Out

Leaf spot is another Zoysia disease that occurs during warm days and cool nights. It is usually caused from overly dry conditions and lack of proper fertilizer. Leaf spot develops small lesions on grass blades with distinct patterns. Close inspection of spotty areas of Zoysia dying will oftentimes be necessary to determine its actual presence.  Look for:

• Brown to purple lesions (spots on blades).
• Irregular dying areas of grass lesions on grass in margins of dead area.

Leaf Spot is caused by excess nitrogen fertility and possibly excess thatch buildup.

Applying organic fertilizer and watering deeply at least once weekly should help alleviate this problem.

Do not introduce additional nitrogen when fertilizing, aerate and detach lawn.  Use Aerify liquid bio-enhanced aerator and a bio-enhanced dethatcher, and apply a good micronutrient product such as Nature's Magic

Rust

Rust often develops during cool, moist conditions. This Zoysia disease presents itself as an orange, powdery-like substance on Zoysia grass. Rust gets its name from the orange, "rusty" appearance it gives leaf blades. Most commonly effecting Zoysia, ryegrasses and Kentucky Bluegrass, rust tends to flourish in conditions of: morning dew, shade, high soil compaction, and low-fertility. The best way to check for rust problems is by taking a white tissue or paper towel and rubbing a few grass blades through it. If an orange color remains, then it is usually rust.

The best prevention for rust is to aerate your lawn, water well in the morning hours, reduce shade to grass, mow more frequently; follow an organic fertilization schedule to help increase the amount of nitrogen levels in your lawn.  Use Aerify liquid bio-enhanced aerator and a bio-enhanced dethatcher.  Trim overhanging branches to allow more sunlight.

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About the Author:
Age: 62, There's a lot of experience in these gray hairs!