Zoysia Tenuifolia Willd. Ex Thiele

The Zoysia tenuifolia Willd. ex Thiele

The Zoysia tenuifolia, commonly known as No-Mow Grass, Korean Velvet Grass, and Temple Grass, is a warm-season perennial grass native to Southeast Asia, Korea, and Southern China. It is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal watering, fertilizing, and mowing, making it a popular choice for lawns, golf courses, and landscaping projects.

Appearance

The Zoysia tenuifolia has a fine, lush texture and a bright green color that adds beauty and texture to any landscape. It has a shallow root system and spreads slowly, forming a dense mat that grows up to 6 inches tall. Its leaves are narrow, pointed, and curl slightly, giving the plant a soft, velvety texture. During the summer season, small green flowers appear on the plant, providing a subtle touch of color.

Uses

The Zoysia tenuifolia is a versatile plant with several uses. It is commonly used as a groundcover, border plant, or as a lawn alternative in areas where traditional grasses do not thrive. Its fine texture and slow growth rate make it an excellent choice for erosion control, soil stabilization, and weed suppression. Furthermore, Zoysia tenuifolia is drought tolerant and can survive in various soil types, including sandy and acidic soil.

In traditional medicine, the Zoysia tenuifolia is used to treat a variety of ailments such as fever, diabetes, and inflammation. Its leaves and roots are dried and crushed into a powder, which is then mixed with water or applied topically to the affected area. However, it is important to note that the plant's medicinal properties have not been scientifically proven, and its use should be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.

In conclusion, the Zoysia tenuifolia is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that has a variety of uses, including landscaping, erosion control, and traditional medicine. Its unique texture and color make it a popular choice for lawns and golf courses, adding beauty and texture to any landscape.

here

Light requirements

Zoysia tenuifolia thrives well in full sun exposure. It requires at least six hours of direct sunlight in a day to grow optimally. However, it can grow in partial shade but with a slower growth rate and less dense foliage.

Temperature requirements

Zoysia tenuifolia is a warm-season grass that grows best in warm climates. The ideal temperature range for this plant to grow is between 15 to 40 degrees Celsius. It can withstand extreme heat and drought conditions but will require regular watering to maintain its lush green color. It does not tolerate frost, and temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius can lead to damage or death of the plant.

Soil requirements

Zoysia tenuifolia grows in a wide range of soil types, but it prefers well-draining soils with a neutral pH between 6 to 7.5. However, it can tolerate slightly acidic soil with a pH as low as 5.5. The plant can also tolerate salty, sandy, or loamy soils but requires sufficient organic matter to maintain good soil structure and nutrient retention.

Cultivation Methods

Zoysia tenuifolia, also known as Korean velvet grass, is an exotic grass species that is ideal for landscaping as lawn or groundcover. This plant is commonly grown using the plug and sod methods. For the plug method, start by preparing the soil by loosening the top 3 to 4 inches. Then plant the plugs 8-12 inches apart, depending on your desired density. For the sod method, till the soil 1 to 2 inches deep before laying the sod over the prepared site.

Watering Needs

Zoysia tenuifolia is drought-tolerant, meaning it requires minimal watering once it has established roots. Water newly planted plugs or sod every day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon when it is cool. After establishment, you can water it once or twice a week, depending on drought conditions. It is also essential to ensure that the soil does not become waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot and other diseases.

Fertilization

The best time to fertilize Zoysia tenuifolia is during the growing season, which is usually from late spring to early fall. You can use a complete fertilizer, such as 16-4-8 or 15-5-10, that has a slow-release formula to ensure the plant receives nutrients over a more extended period. Apply the fertilizer uniformly according to the recommended rate, and then irrigate immediately after to allow nutrients to permeate into the soil.

Pruning

Zoysia tenuifolia requires little pruning to maintain its form. In general, you should mow the lawn to a height of 1 to 2 inches, ensuring that you do not cut more than 1/3 of the blade at a time. Frequent mowing encourages denser growth and prevents the thatch layer from developing. You should also remove damaged or dead leaves and debris to prevent fungal diseases from occurring.

Propagation of Zoysia Tenuifolia Willd. ex Thiele

Zoysia tenuifolia, also known as no-mow grass, is propagable through seed sowing, sod, and plugs. However, plugs are the most widely used method of propagation because they are more efficient and less labor-intensive compared to seed sowing and sod.

Propagation by Plugs

Plugs are small, rooted sections of the Zoysia tenuifolia stolon or rhizome. By taking plugs from a mature plant and transferring them to a new location, one can grow a new lawn. Professionals usually recommend planting plugs at the beginning of spring, as it promotes quick and full growth during the warm season.

To propagate no-mow grass by plugs, you will need to prepare the soil first. Soil preparation is crucial because it ensures that the grass will grow and thrive properly. Plugs should be planted approximately 6 inches apart to enable proper expansion while avoiding overcrowding.

After planting, the plugs should be watered appropriately, usually daily, to help establish their root systems. Growth will be boosted during the warm season, but care should be taken during the cooler months to prevent root rot and death of the grass.

Propagation by Seed Sowing

Seed sowing is another propagation method for Zoysia tenuifolia. Although it is an inexpensive propagation method, it is often less efficient and requires more labor compared to other methods. The seeds should be sown as early as possible during spring, with weed control measures implemented to minimize competition.

After sowing, watering should be regular, either naturally or with a sprinkler system. Weed removal may be necessary in the establishment stage, which can often take several months, especially in colder climates. Following establishment, the grass will grow vigorously during the warm season and require regular fertilization.

Propagation by Sod

Sod cultivation is a comparatively more expensive propagation method for Zoysia tenuifolia. It involves transplanting already-established turfgrass rather than small plugs. The sod is firmly planted into a prepared bed of soil, and then there is watering and upkeep. However, Zoysia tenuifolia is not commonly propagated by sod as it is more expensive compared to other propagation methods.

Disease Management

Zoysia tenuifolia Willd. ex Thiele is generally a hardy plant, but it is susceptible to certain diseases. A common disease that affects this plant is dollar spot. This disease is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia homeocarpa and appears as small circular spots on the leaves of the plant. To manage dollar spot, regular watering, mowing, and fertilizing is recommended to maintain healthy growth. If the disease is severe, fungicides can also be applied.

Another disease that may affect Zoysia tenuifolia is leaf smut. This disease is caused by the fungus Ustilago zoysiae and causes the leaves of the plant to turn brown and die. A preventative measure for leaf smut is the application of fungicides during the spring when the disease is most active.

Brown patch, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, is a disease that can affect Zoysia tenuifolia during warm and humid weather conditions. The disease causes discolored patches on the leaves and stems of the plant. To manage brown patch, avoid overwatering and over-fertilization of the plant. Fungicides can also be used to control the disease.

Pest Management

While Zoysia tenuifolia is resistant to many pests, certain insects may still cause damage to the plant. One such insect is the sod webworm, which feeds on the leaves of the plant and causes brown patches to appear. To manage sod webworms, insecticides can be applied or natural predators such as birds can be introduced to the area.

Anothe frequently encountered pest is the chinch bug, which feeds on the plant sap and causes the leaves to turn yellow and die. To manage chinch bugs, insecticides can be applied or natural predators can be introduced. Cultural practices such as mowing and fertilizing can also help prevent infestations.

Aphids and whiteflies are insects that may cause damage to Zoysia tenuifolia by sucking the sap from the leaves. To manage these pests, insecticides can be applied or the use of natural predators such as ladybugs can be considered.