WALTER REEVES

Hybrid Bermuda grass doesn’t produce seed

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Q: My husband is fond of allowing Bermuda to go to seed, then mowing and introducing the clippings where we want more grass. Does this work? — Debbie Parks, Norcross

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Walter Reeves/AJC Special

Bermuda grass that has gone to seed.

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  • Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on NewsTalk 750 WSB-AM from 6 to 10. Call 404-872-0750 to ask questions.
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A: It all depends on whether you have “common” Bermuda grass or one of the sodded hybrids (TifGreen, TifWay, Tif-Sport, etc.).

One way to tell them apart is to tap a seed head onto a piece of black paper.

Common Bermuda grass will release a tiny yellow cloud of pollen on the paper.

Hybrid Bermuda grass is sterile: It does not produce pollen or seed.

Q: We have numerous Stella de Oro daylilies as a border plant. This year after blooming, some have seed pods on them rather than a second set of buds. What do we do with these?

— Lorraine DeCesare

A: You’ll get more blooms if you cut the seed pods off. Stella daylilies thrive if given full sunshine, regular watering and ample fertilizer. Apply a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote or Dynamite in April each year and make a habit of regularly checking the soil for dryness. Your daylilies should bloom happily until August.


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