How To Keep Red Thread Under Control
Red thread is a fungal infection caused by the fungus, laetisaria fuciformis. This disease will cause irregularly shaped patches of tan or red throughout your lawn. But it really only comes down to doing one thing, to ensure you never have to worry about it.
The truth is, almost any lawn is susceptible to this turf fungus. However, it is not uncommon for some lawns to have more issues than neighboring properties. This is because of different soil conditions, maintenance, and water patterns.
So, lets take a look at what causes red thread, the negative effects and point out the best way to control it.
When Is The Best Time To Treat Red Thread
Red thread attacks from May onwards favouring humid and mild weather. Early and late summer temperatures with a dewy grass are ideal though the drying effect of summer on your lawn can disguise the disease leading most people to assume wrongly that the lawn is just suffering from drought as in the image below.
Fixing Summer Patch Dead Spots
Summer patch is a lawn disease that results in straw-like areas in the lawn. This is caused when the fungus Magnaporthe poae infects the roots, making it difficult for the grass to absorb water and nutrients. If it progresses enough, it can kill an area of the lawn, so you may need to work on how to fix dead grass after addressing the infection.
Summer patch does well in high heat, humidity, and areas with heavy soil compaction. Over-fertilizing can also contribute to issues with summer patch. Once it is established, summer patch can be difficult to get rid of. To prevent this grass fungus, avoid over-fertilizing and over-watering. You can also apply a lawn fungus treatment in late spring as a preventative measure.
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What Does It Look Like
You can identify red thread by the pinkish-red strands that extend from the leaf blade tip. Take a look at your lawn early in the morning, when its still moist. You might see what looks like miniature pink cotton balls.
If you take a look at your turf early in the morning when it is still moist, you might find what looks like miniature balls of pink cotton candy. Thats a tell-tale sign.
But it can be mistaken for dollar spot or lawn rust. Thats because the grass is usually tan or light brown beneath the growths. To properly identify the disease, you may need to get on your hands and knees to check it out.
Dispose Of Grass Clippings
If your lawn has been infected with red thread, it is important to deal with grass clippings in the proper way.
Since red thread spores can lie dormant for up to two years, you should bag up clippings and destroy them or otherwise dispose of them safely.
If your lawn has suffered an attack of red thread, you shouldnt put the clippings on the compost heap otherwise, there is a risk of them surviving, and you may end up spreading them over your lawn and reinfecting it later.
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What Is Red Thread And What Can I Do About It
The first thing you should know about red thread is that it has never killed a lawn, so whilst it is unsightly and quite frankly, annoying, it wont kill off your lawn.
In most cases, red thread isnt the fault of the lawn owner, so were not about to reprimand you – but it can be prevented by regularly feeding your lawn. More on that later, but first lets find out what this dreaded red thread is and what causes it.
Lawn Fungus Treatments For Dollar Spots
Dollar spots are small circular patches in the lawn that can get up to a few inches in diameter. This is a grass disease that is the result of a fungal infection. The fungus tends to thrive in lawns that are undernourished and areas where the air is moist but the soil is dry.
The first step in preventing dollar spots is to make sure you are providing your lawn with enough nitrogen. Along with that, you want to water your lawn deeply a few times a week. You may also want to consider aerating your lawn to help water and nutrients reach roots.
Grass diseases can be very difficult to get under control once they are established in your lawn. That is why you should focus on prevention. Develop a lawn care plan based on the type of grass you have and the conditions in your yard. Your lawn wont be as vulnerable if you are mowing your lawn to the correct height, providing the right amount of water and using the right fertilizer.
Get all the tools you need to ensure your lawn is looking its best at WORX!
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How To Protect Your Lawn From Red Thread
The fungus that infects the turf lives in the thatch and soil and can be spread by dead infected plant material and by mowing and other mechanical maintenance. Be sure to clean your lawnmower after cutting your grass to decrease the chances of spreading the disease.
Fungicide applications are usually not necessary in dealing with red thread. The basic treatment for red thread is to fertilize the lawn with the proper amount of nitrogen as part of an ongoing feeding program.
A fertilizer application will often help your turf outgrow the damage and protect it from other potential diseases. But keep this in mind, some turf diseases are aggravated by excessive fertilization, so be sure to have an expert diagnose which disease your lawn is facing before fertilizing begins.
Dont hesitate to connect with the Lush Lawn team for treatment options if you come across it on your lawn. Contact your local Lush Lawn branch to request our services.
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Get Rid Of Red Thread
Due to the mild weather we have experienced, our Lawn Operatives are currently noticing an increase in Red Thread across lawns in the U.K. Were here to help you identify the disease in your lawn and to explain how we can help get rid of it!
What does Red Thread look like?
- Reddish/brown patches of decaying grass
- Fine red needles protruding from the blades of grass
- Pink/reddish candy-floss like particles around the base of the leaf
- Infected blades mixed with healthy blades giving the lawn a ragged appearance
In severe cases, the grass may look scorched or yellowed in irregularly shaped or circular patches from 5 to 50cm in diameter. The patches may be widely scattered or, if close together, may amalgamate into larger spots.
How did my lawn get Red Thread?
Although high humidity is the main cause, it can also be seen in lawns affected by stress related issues such as a poor cutting regime, drought, thatch, compaction, or low nutrition .
How can GreenThumb remove Red Thread?
Generally, if our customers are receiving their regular fertiliser treatments this reduces the incidence of it. However, if the problem arises due to the conditions described above, we may recommend a liquid tonic.
If Red Thread does occur, we can treat it at the same time as we apply the scheduled NutraGreen treatments to your lawn. This will ensure that your lawn has the best chance of recovery.
What can I expect after my treatment?
Did you know?
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What Is Red Thread And What Does It Look Like
Red thread is a lawn condition caused by a fungus called Laetisaria fuciformis, that attacks the leaf parts of the grass and causes it turn red and slowly die.
It is particularly a problem for fescue and perennial rye grasses, although other grasses can be affected too.
The fungus that causes red thread is present in all lawns however it stays dormant for the majority of the year.
Red thread is more common during the months of late summer and early fall/autumn as the weather is generally damp and warm. The fungus loves these humid conditions and therefore spreads it spores during this weather period.
So how do you spot that your lawn is suffering from red thread?
First of all you will notice that small yellow and brown patches are appearing on the lawn. These will range in size from between 3 inches and 7 inches in size.
The brown patches might begin to multiply or get larger however they will stop eventually as the weather becomes drier or cooler.
On close inspection, the tips of the grass blades will have a pinkish-red tip. The tip will likely have a feathered appearance and could be tangled to a neighboring grass blade. This will give the grass a matted effect that isnt pleasant to look at.
Eventually, the grass blades will dry out and die.
Next, lets see how we can get rid of red thread from your lawn.
How Long Does It Take To Go Away
Within a few weeks, you should notice the effects of red thread begin to lessen, i.e less visibility of red needles, and the patches should start to green up again. Of course, this is dependent on the type of fertiliser you choose and how fast it works. If you want the quickest solution make sure to invest in a quick release fertiliser.
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Here Are Our Top Tips On Caring For Your Lawn To Help It Resist Red Thread:
- Check on the condition of your soil. Grass struggling to grow on poor soil will have a weak root structure resulting in stressed grass which is more vulnerable to attack. If your soil structure is very poor then consider replacing it.
- Blunt Mower A blunt or badly adjusted mower will bruise your grass, remove chlorophyll from the leaf and leave it prone to attack.
- Compaction Regularly aerate your lawn to relieve compaction and to create an environment where natural bacteria in the soil can be beneficial and your lawn is not stressed.
- Thatch control Some thatch will help to prevent red thread, but too much thatch will cause problems and scarifying will be necessary.
- Correct Nutrient A careful balance of nutrient will keep your lawn healthy and less susceptible to red thread. Too much nutrient will cause the cells in the grass plant to become weak and invite Red Thread and not enough will leave the grass hungry.
- Poor Drainage Water logged soil will invite disease.
- Harden the grass Iron treatments during the autumn, winter and spring not only control moss but will harden the grass and make it less susceptible to Red Thread.
How Can My Lawn Be Treated Once It Has Red Thread
The only products that are available in the professional turf industry are chemical fungicides. However, most of these fungicides tend to act only as a preventative, rather than a cure.
Lawn Master have our own 2 part treatment to cure Red Thread, which is a result of years of testing various products and methods at championship golf courses and football pitches, to see which work most effectively.
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How Do I Get Rid Of Red Thread
The short answer to this question is apply a nitrogen rich fertilizer or a special lawn fungicide as soon as you see red thread appearing in your lawn.
Lets look at why applying a fertilizer will help your lawn recover from this fungal infection.
This is key for two reasons.
Its also possible to apply a lawn fungicide to kill the fungus that is causing the damage to the grass. Gardeners from the U.S. could use a fungicide such as BioAdvanced Fungus Control for Lawns.
Gardeners from the U.K. could use a fungicide like Provanto Lawn Disease Control.
Both of these products should protect your lawn for up to 4 weeks. Although they can be applied at any point in the year, we would recommend that you only apply these fungicides when the weather is at its most humid during the summer months. This is the period of the year when your lawn is most susceptible to red thread.
As always, closely follow the manufacturers instructions on the packet.
Therefore, ensure that you apply a fungicide no more than once every 2 years.
How To Treat Red Thread Lawn Disease
It is important to maintain an adequate nitrogen fertility program to lessen the effects of Red Thread. Fertilization after an outbreak of Red Thread will help the turf to âgrow outâ of the effects of the disease activity. Fertilizer will help the lawn grow and then the diseased parts of the plant can be mowed off to allow newer, healthy blades to grow. Avoid excessive watering during cool, cloudy periods that may extend the time the turf remains wet. Core aeration and overseeding with improved varieties of turf grasses that are more resistant to Red Thread are another two important cultural practices.
There are chemical control options, but by the time the red threads are seen, it is usually too late to apply a preventative disease control application. Making sure the lawn is well fertilized, mowed properly and receives the right amount of water on a weekly basis is the best approach to take when dealing with Red Thread lawn disease.
If Red Thread is a problem in your lawn, contact your neighborhood lawn care professional at Spring-Green. They will be happy to inspect your yard and provide a beneficial lawn care program.
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Apply A Summer Fertiliser
Red Thread and Pink Patch favour lawns that are deficient in nitrogen so the first step is to apply a summer fertiliser.
This will put much-needed nitrogen back into the soil which will aid grass growth and health.
Do this in the summer, NOT the autumn. If you apply it too late in the year you run the risk of your lawn becoming infected with Fusarium Patch as the weather turns colder.
Water it in and wait a couple of weeks and then
Why Is My Lawn Turning Red
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. Similarly, how do I get rid of red grass?
To control red thread, fertilize your lawn with high nitrogen, but balanced fertilizer. Red thread occurs more frequently in undernourished turf. When you mow, use a grass catcher and dispose of the grass tips with the fungus.
One may also ask, what does red thread lawn disease look like? Symptoms are often visible from the street as circular patches of tan or pink grass about 4-8 inches in diameter. Upon closer inspection, the sclerotia are easily visible, appearing like small, red threads protruding out of the grass blades, especially near the tip.
Similarly, you may ask, will red thread go away?
Red thread will often go away on its own if the conditions dry out and it stays warm. However, this can take a while and if you do not keep a close on eye on your lawn, other diseases can infect your grass.
Why is my lawn turning pink?
It is normal for lawns to get a mild dose of Pink Patch, when conditions are optimal. Pink Patch is really a symptom of improper watering, poor grass, poor soil or all of these things. The fungus thrives when the surface of the soil lawn is wet and the roots are dry.
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What Does Red Thread Disease Look Like
The first clue that your lawn may be suffering from redthread disease is the appearance of small straw-coloured patches in thesward. These patches usually have anirregular shape and you may notice a pinkish tinge to them.
Look a bit closer and youll see that there are tiny pink-colouredthreads attached to each blade of grass. There may also be a pale colouredcobweb like structure at the base of the plant.
This is typical of red thread disease.
If your lawn is showing slightly different symptoms, it may be suffering from a different lawn disease. Check our troubleshooting guide
Cut The Lawn Regularly
Regular cutting of the grass will have a huge impact on the overall health of your lawn.
Just by simply cutting your grass more often youll see how much thicker and greener it will become.
When you prevent the grass from growing tall it is forced to grow sideways. It grows new shoots and runners which sprout new grass leaves, making the lawn much thicker and healthier.
Thicker, healthier grass is more able to fight off diseases like Red Thread and Pink Patch as well as moss infestations and outbreaks of weeds.
So cut the grass at leave every 10 days. When growing conditions are at their best in the spring and autumn, cut it every 7 days.
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How To Fix A Brown Patch In Your Lawn + 4 Other Common Lawn Diseases
- May 28, 2020
Youre using your electric lawn mower regularly, watering on a schedule, and using the best lawn fertilizers. Even with all of this care, you might still find patches that look dead or discolored.
In attempts to restore these areas of the lawn, you might try to water more or you might use some type of lawn repair formula. These simple solutions might work to address some issues with dead or brown grass. However, there are lawn diseases that will get worse if you try these common solutions.
If that is the case, your lawn is probably infected by some type of grass fungus. Many of these grass diseases will actually feed off the extra water and fertilizer you apply, and this could result in more discoloration or dead spots in the lawn.
In this post, we are going to look at how to fix brown patches in a lawn and other common lawn diseases. Among the most common grass diseases are red thread, summer patch, powdery mildew, and dollar spots.
