Origin
Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. ssp. tenuifolia (Willd. ex Thiele) T. Koyama is a warm-season, perennial grass species that is native to Southeast Asia. It is commonly found in countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Common Names
Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia is commonly known as Korean grass, Korean velvet grass, temple grass, or simply as Zoysia grass. In Thailand, it is known as ya-dua-dang, meaning "red thread," due to its fine, wiry stems that look like red threads.
Uses
Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia is primarily used as a turfgrass for golf courses, parks, and lawns due to its ability to thrive in hot and humid environments. It is also used as a ground cover, erosion control, and in landscaping designs. In traditional Chinese medicine, the roots and leaves of Zoysia grass are used to treat various ailments, including inflammation, fever, and urinary tract infections.
General Appearance
Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia has a dense and mat-like growth habit with fine, wiry stems that grow up to 15-30cm in height. Its leaves are narrow, pointed, and deeply grooved, with a glossy, dark green color on the upper surface and a lighter green color on the lower surface. It produces small, spike-like flowerheads that are less than 1cm long and light purple in color. The grass can tolerate hot and humid climates, but not frost or extremely cold temperatures.
hereLight Requirements
Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It prefers to get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Temperature Requirements
This plant species prefers warm weather and cannot tolerate frost. The ideal temperature range for its growth is between 25°C to 30°C. However, it can tolerate temperatures as low as 10°C and as high as 35°C for a short period.
Soil Requirements
Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia grows best in well-draining soil that is open and porous, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. It can tolerate a wide variety of soils, including sandy, loam, and clay soils, but it does not grow well in waterlogged or poorly-draining soils.
Cultivation Methods
Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. ssp. tenuifolia (Willd. ex Thiele) T. Koyama, commonly known as Korean Velvet Grass, is grown through vegetative planting or by sowing its seeds. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-draining soils. This species is commonly grown in warm-season turfgrass areas for landscaping or golf courses.
Watering Needs
Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia requires moderate watering, especially during the establishment phase. Newly planted grass may need to be watered every day until the roots penetrate deeply. Once it's established, the grass can tolerate drought conditions and should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth and prevent thatch accumulation. Avoid overwatering or watering when there is dew or rain, as this can lead to disease development.
Fertilization
Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia needs fertilization to maintain a healthy, green appearance, and improve its tolerance to traffic and stress. Fertilizers with a low nitrogen content and high phosphorous and potassium content are recommended. Apply fertilizers in moderate amounts 2-4 times annually, preferably during the growing season. Over-fertilization can create thatch and weaken the grass, promoting insect and disease attacks.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary to maintain the optimal appearance and growth of Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia since it is a creeping grass and tends to grow horizontally. Mowing the grass is essential to keep it at the desired height of 0.75-1.5 inches. Avoid cutting more than one-third of its height during a single mowing to prevent plant stress. Removing the grass clippings is not necessary unless they are long and excessive. Regular pruning helps control thatch accumulation, promotes vertical growth, and improves drought and pest resistance.
Propagation of Zoysia Matrella (L.) Merr. ssp. Tenuifolia (Willd. ex Thiele) T. Koyama
Zoysia matrella is commonly propagated through vegetative methods which involves cutting, division, or sprigging. The methods used are determined by the resources available such as time, equipment, and materials.
Cutting
Cutting also known as stem cuttings is where the vegetative parts of the plant are cut and used to grow new plants. This method is the most common practice in propagating Zoysia matrella in areas such as golf courses and landscapes.
The cutting is typically made of stems, stolons, or rhizomes. Stems are the plant parts that grow above the ground while stolons and rhizomes are underground parts. The cuttings are then planted in a mix of soil and sand in a greenhouse or shaded area.
The plants are kept moist and in a highly humid environment until they develop roots and are established enough to be transplanted successfully in the desired location.
Division
Division is another method used to propagate Zoysia matrella. In this method, the mature plants are dug up and divided into pieces, each containing roots and a portion of the stolon or rhizome. The plant pieces are then planted in soil and sand mix and cared for appropriately until they establish roots.
This method is useful for producing large numbers of new plants from a mature plant. However, care must be taken not to damage the roots and other parts of the plant to ensure a successful propagation process.
Sprigging
Sprigging is another common method of propagating Zoysia matrella. Here, small pieces of the plant with stolons and rhizomes attached are planted directly into the soil on the ground. This method is useful for large areas and is less labor-intensive than the other methods.
The plants are often planted in rows or spots and are spaced evenly in the field. They are then irrigated, fertilized, and kept under high humidity until they establish roots and begin the growing process.
Overall, these methods or a combination of them have been proven to be effective in propagating Zoysia matrella. It is essential to provide appropriate care for the new plants to ensure they grow, develop healthy roots, and establish correctly.
Disease Management
Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia is a turfgrass species that is relatively disease resistant. However, some common diseases that may affect this plant include brown patch, dollar spot, and leaf spot.
Brown patch is a fungal disease that causes circular patches of brown grass. To manage this disease, ensure that the turf is not over-fertilized and avoid watering late in the day to reduce humidity. Use fungicides as a last resort.
Dollar spot is another fungal disease that causes small, silver dollar-sized patches of grass to die. To manage this disease, avoid overwatering and use fungicides if necessary.
Leaf spot is caused by several different fungal species and results in brown or yellow spots on the leaves of the grass. To manage this disease, reduce humidity levels by not overwatering and remove infected debris from the turf regularly.
Pest Management
Like diseases, Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia is relatively resistant to pests. However, some common pests that may affect this plant include chinch bugs, sod webworms, and armyworms.
Chinch bugs pierce the grass blade and suck sap from the plant. This causes the turf to turn yellow and die. To manage this pest, use insecticides or nematodes, but ensure that the treatment is applied early before the damage becomes irreversible.
Sod webworms and armyworms are caterpillars that eat the grass blades and damage the turf. To manage these pests, use insecticides or nematodes, but note that these should be used as a last resort and only when the damage is severe.
Overall, proper cultural practices such as regular mowing and fertilization can increase the resistance of Zoysia matrella ssp. tenuifolia to both pests and diseases. Additionally, allowing the grass to dry out between watering can help prevent fungal diseases, while removing thatch and debris can reduce the likelihood of pest infestations.
