Yes, it may seem irrational, how can a moss grow on a plastic synthetic material like putting green. It may grow well on the real grass, but on an artificial grass. No chance. But, your mind may be misdirecting you.
To understand this, one must understand that what mosses are in reality. And, how can they grow on synthetic and non-living materials.
What and How of Mosses
Mosses are the green flowerless plants that belong to the class of Bryophytes. They are very small, ranging from 1-10 cm in height. And the important thing to know is that they have no roots. They only have rhizoids that act as an anchor to hold on any surface. That is why they can easily grow anywhere and everywhere, whether living or non-living or dead thing.
Another thing to be noted about mosses is that they do not need any nutrients to live. They do not require any water also.
All they need is some moisture, which they absorb from their upper ground surfaces.
That is why it is so easy for them to grow even on the non-living synthetic materials like putting green.
The Myths
Most moss control strategies suggest that one can get rid of the mosses, by any of the following
By increasing the drainage
By raising the grass cutting heights
By having a proper irrigation system
It must be noted that the above mentioned points are good for growing a nice looking green turf, but it provides no benefit in the moss control. This is because the mosses can grow well on a good drainage site and similarly well on a site with bad drainage.
To raise the grass cutting height is one of the other control strategy. Mosses grow on rocks with zero level and similarly well on the grasses and plants having certain height. Same is the case with putting green also. The mosses grow equally well on the grass having length of 0.5” and on the grass having length of 2”. So, the height of the grass is of no concern when it comes to moss control.
To have a proper irrigation system is the other point mentioned in the control strategies of mosses. One should know that mosses can live well up to 12-18 months, without any moisture or water. They can easily live for a few years in the absence of water. They can survive the summers and winters without equally well. So, over watering or having a proper irrigation system has also nothing to do with the moss control.
The Truth
Any of the above mentioned ways is not suitable for the removal of mosses from your putting green. However, the key to avoid mosses can be to grow your turf more dense. If you manage to grow a dense turf of grass, then there is a possibility that you avoid moss on your putting green next time. And if your turf is thin, then your putting green is exposed and moss can invade it at any time.
Another way to the control of moss is to roll the grass over with a roller. If the grass is rolled over and over again frequently, then the chances of getting moss on the putting green is reduced to a significantly lower level.
The increased visitor traffic, in a controlled way and frequent use of lawn mower can also add to the benefits of controlling mosses on putting green.
For More information please feel free to visit Home Green Advantage.
To understand this, one must understand that what mosses are in reality. And, how can they grow on synthetic and non-living materials.
What and How of Mosses
Mosses are the green flowerless plants that belong to the class of Bryophytes. They are very small, ranging from 1-10 cm in height. And the important thing to know is that they have no roots. They only have rhizoids that act as an anchor to hold on any surface. That is why they can easily grow anywhere and everywhere, whether living or non-living or dead thing.
Another thing to be noted about mosses is that they do not need any nutrients to live. They do not require any water also.
All they need is some moisture, which they absorb from their upper ground surfaces.
That is why it is so easy for them to grow even on the non-living synthetic materials like putting green.
The Myths
Most moss control strategies suggest that one can get rid of the mosses, by any of the following
By increasing the drainage
By raising the grass cutting heights
By having a proper irrigation system
It must be noted that the above mentioned points are good for growing a nice looking green turf, but it provides no benefit in the moss control. This is because the mosses can grow well on a good drainage site and similarly well on a site with bad drainage.
To raise the grass cutting height is one of the other control strategy. Mosses grow on rocks with zero level and similarly well on the grasses and plants having certain height. Same is the case with putting green also. The mosses grow equally well on the grass having length of 0.5” and on the grass having length of 2”. So, the height of the grass is of no concern when it comes to moss control.
To have a proper irrigation system is the other point mentioned in the control strategies of mosses. One should know that mosses can live well up to 12-18 months, without any moisture or water. They can easily live for a few years in the absence of water. They can survive the summers and winters without equally well. So, over watering or having a proper irrigation system has also nothing to do with the moss control.
The Truth
Any of the above mentioned ways is not suitable for the removal of mosses from your putting green. However, the key to avoid mosses can be to grow your turf more dense. If you manage to grow a dense turf of grass, then there is a possibility that you avoid moss on your putting green next time. And if your turf is thin, then your putting green is exposed and moss can invade it at any time.
Another way to the control of moss is to roll the grass over with a roller. If the grass is rolled over and over again frequently, then the chances of getting moss on the putting green is reduced to a significantly lower level.
The increased visitor traffic, in a controlled way and frequent use of lawn mower can also add to the benefits of controlling mosses on putting green.
For More information please feel free to visit Home Green Advantage.
