Zoysiagrass and
centipedegrass get a long time to make a thick
lawn. Both zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) and centipedegrass (Eremchloa ophiuroides) are medium-textured
warm-season turf grasses which might be well adapted for use in lawns in Southern climates. Both grasses stand up comparatively well to heat and drought, but centipedegrass is far more prone to pest and disease problems than zoysiagrass.
Physical appearance and Growth Habits
Zoysiagrass and centipedegrass are both slow growers -- zoysiagrass relatively far more so -- and both grasses could consider numerous years to produce a well-established lawn; as soon as established, nonetheless, both grasses offer a dense turf. The colour of zoysiagrass varies depending on the cultivar; centipedegrass is generally a lighter green than zoysia or other turf grasses. Both zoysiagrass and centipedegrass stay green only during the warm season, and so they go dormant and turn brown or straw-colored in the winter; centipedegrass may even turn brown if it does not get adequate water.
Climate and Growth Conditions
Zoysiagrass performs well in U.S. Division of Agriculture plant hardiness zones six to 9. Centipedegrass is usually a bit more sensitive to climate extremes and does best in USDA zones 7 and 8. Both grasses do best in complete sun, but both will tolerate partial shade. Both grasses are also drought tolerant and aren't especially demanding inside their watering requirements. Zoysiagrass is durable, and it stands up well to traffic and salt spray in coastal areas; centipedegrass is considerably more sensitive, and it doesn't tolerate salt spray or wear practically as gracefully. Because of its far more finicky nature, centipedegrass is not a good companion for zoysiagrass inside a lawn.
Mowing and Maintenance
Zoysiagrass features a reputation for getting challenging to
mow evenly, and it's best cut with both a
reel mower or perhaps a rotary mower having a well-sharpened blade. It's also prone to
thatch buildup, and it benefits from
fertilization while in the fall. Despite its relatively fragile disposition regarding wear and disease tolerance, centipedegrass is not as demanding when it comes to servicing and fertilization; in fact, overfertilization of centipedegrass may cause a lot more problems than it solves.
Pests and Ailments
Zoysiagrass is not specifically vulnerable to any specific pests or illnesses. Centipedegrass, nonetheless, often falls prey to several different pests and problems. Pests such as ring nematodes and ground pearls, a type of scale insect, generally assault centipedegrass turf, and both pests can severely damage or kill centipedegrass; ground pearl may additionally attack zoysiagrass, but zoysia is generally much better in a position to withstand the pest. Centipedegrass is additionally susceptible to many different fungal infections that are usually referred to by widespread names such as "large patch" or "centipedegrass decline"; these infections could be caused or exacerbated by over-fertilization or over-watering. Centipedegrass is additionally sensitive to iron deficiencies in really acidic soils, and it will turn yellow if it doesn't get enough iron.
More About Zoysia Grass
