[MClutterbuck]

For what its worth, we had 1 green with approximately 15-20% of poa, with another 17 greens with less than 1%. We were looking at regrassing the whole green to make it consistent with the other 17. As a last resource we used Velocity on the back 1/3 of the green in the summer of 2016. Normally when Velocity is used on greens, height of cut is increased to fairway heights. Our agronomist recommended and we agreed to risk loosing 1/3 of the green and applied Velocity all summer (weekly) and we killed off most of the poa annua on that part of the green. We decided to continue in 2017 and applied Velocity to the full green all summer at 3mm HOC and continued to roll 3 times a week. To be clear, the manufacturer clearly discourages this practice.

It is probably too early to know for sure, but it appears we have reduced poa significantly, probably even below 1% in the area that received this treatment for 2 summers.

The greens are now 11-12 years and rolling perfectly and we have no plans to resurface.

After winter update: this green played all winter with no visible signs of poa annua seeding and overall poa population is at a minimum. The green has gone from worst rolling green on the course to best.


Even with it not being approved for greens and with the huge risk of actually loosing the green, in our case Velocity has really worked.

[Adrian_Stiff]

MC - Sounds interesting, the problem globally is some/many chemicals are not accepted in all countries, so as far as I am aware Velocity is not available in the UK.


Secondary problem is what works in one country with a certain climate can be the opposite of what to do in another region.


Temperature plays a big part in poa control and in the UK we have the wrong temperature, that aside we have the right temperatures for firm and fast to fit with our mixture of grasses.


We tried another green last year where we stripped off the turf, minced it up and reseeded, I would say after a swift germination we went straight to year 3 perhaps year 4 in terms of poa invasion.


At another recent course we sowed nine new greens two years ago we have maintained a very strong fescue stand and we have been cutting at 6mm (summer) 7mm (winter) the greens are medium speed. We have just sown 6 of the next nine. If you want to see pictures friend request me on fbook.

[Adrian_Stiff]

Adrian:

It's a vicious cycle -- you'll keep doing it again every 10 years for the same reason.  If you can get a better grade of Poa annua by stressing it out, you'd be better off in the long run.  Taking greens out of play for 8-9 months every ten years is a loser's game.

9 years on and after trials non greenkeeper Tom issues the best advice.

[MClutterbuck]

Adrian,


As you say, this will vary by country (regulations), climate, and even within the same course what works one year might not work another. We had the warmest winter on record, conditions were just right for Poa, in fact it flourished on fairways aggressively twice, and still we had great success on the greens. And it certainly is a small fraction of the cost of resurfacing.

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