karl foerster grass is struggling - Ask Extension
Hi, some of our karl foerster grass has been struggling this summer and we cannot seem to identify the problem. The first two photos show the grass th...
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karl foerster grass is struggling #874440
Asked June 24, 2024, 1:21 PM EDT
Hi, some of our karl foerster grass has been struggling this summer and we cannot seem to identify the problem. The first two photos show the grass that is having a rough time, the third photo are plants on the exact same patio that are doing much better. Last year the struggling plants grew without problem. Happy to provide any additional information or photos needed - thank you for your help!
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
It looks like all of your Karl Foerster grasses are in the same containers, so you would expect the same growing conditions.
There are very few insects or diseases that would affect your grasses, so you want to check on how much water each of your containers.
Karl Foerster needs a steady supply of water, so if the emitters are plugged or not on the same circuit of your irrigation system and running different lengths of time from one container to the next, that might be the difference.
Rather than too little water, you might have too much, and you could find very wet soil that is sitting in the bottom of the container drowning the roots.
Dig around in the soil and see if you find any grubs or other insects. Root rot might be there from too much water at a previous time, and has hung on even though the topsoil might be dry.
It might take a while to determine what is happening, but since you are getting different growth from one container to the next, there are obviously different conditions in each of your containers.
There are very few insects or diseases that would affect your grasses, so you want to check on how much water each of your containers.
Karl Foerster needs a steady supply of water, so if the emitters are plugged or not on the same circuit of your irrigation system and running different lengths of time from one container to the next, that might be the difference.
Rather than too little water, you might have too much, and you could find very wet soil that is sitting in the bottom of the container drowning the roots.
Dig around in the soil and see if you find any grubs or other insects. Root rot might be there from too much water at a previous time, and has hung on even though the topsoil might be dry.
It might take a while to determine what is happening, but since you are getting different growth from one container to the next, there are obviously different conditions in each of your containers.
It looks like all of your Karl Foerster grasses are in the same containers, so you would expect the same growing conditions.
There are very few insects or diseases that would affect your grasses, so you want to check on how much water each of your containers.
Karl Foerster needs a steady supply of water, so if the emitters are plugged or not on the same circuit of your irrigation system and running different lengths of time from one container to the next, that might be the difference.
Rather than too little water, you might have too much, and you could find very wet soil that is sitting in the bottom of the container drowning the roots.
Dig around in the soil and see if you find any grubs or other insects. Root rot might be there from too much water at a previous time, and has hung on even though the topsoil might be dry.
It might take a while to determine what is happening, but since you are getting different growth from one container to the next, there are obviously different conditions in each of your containers.
