Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
6 ratings

Saturday - July 05, 2008

From: Cibolo, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Brown spots in St. Augustine grass
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Mr. Smarty Plants, My husband and I are in the Air Force and were recently moved to Cibolo Texas. We built a home and hired a landscaper to finish the yard May 07 (with irrigation system). We laid down St. Augustine grass in the backyard. We left to visit family on the east coast and when we returned we saw large brown spots of dead tan colored grass, with other patchs of rust brown. I believe it is a fungus- Anthracnose. But when I research what to do, I find nothing on it. We have heard that cornmeal will treat it from a friend of a friend. We aren't sure if that is true or a wive's tale. Needless to say, we are very worried that our expensive grass will continue to die. Any information or direction you could provide us would be very appreciated.

ANSWER:

First of all, let me refer you to two different sites that give you information on determining what your lawn problem is—Earth-wise Guide to Lawn Problems from the City of Austin and Texas A&M's St. Augustine Grass Diseaese Index. Certainly, anthracnose (caused by the fungus, Colletotrichum graminicolais) is one possibility and another is brown patch (caused by the fungus, Rhizoctonia solani). Chinch bugs and grubs of the June beetle are other possible causes of St. Augustine problems. The two guides (above) to lawn turf problems offer descriptions and photos to help you determine what your problem is and suggestions for solving them including cultural practices as well as chemical solutions. Your friend was, no doubt, talking about corn meal gluten which is the new 'miracle' organic treatment for fungal diseases on plants, algae control in water, and weed control. According to the Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett, you should use horticultural cornmeal (or corn gluten meal) available at garden centers instead of cornmeal from the grocery store. Grocery store cornmeal is not as effective because it is mostly the starchy part of the corn kernel; whereas, corn meal gluten is the protein portion of the corn kernel. Garrett recommends applying the horticultural cornmeal at 10-20 lbs. per 1000 square feet to control fungal diseases in grass. It works by supplying nutrients to microorganisms that feed on the fungus. Here is more information about cornmeal as a fungicide. You can read the pros and cons of using cornmeal on Turfgrass Forums.

 

 

More Diseases and Disorders Questions

Information about giant yellow and black wasps
September 13, 2008 - Regarding a previous question submitted by a person asking about the giant yellow and black wasps..It's a Cicada Killer.I used to see them all the time when I was a kid in Victoria, Tx..But I haven'...
view the full question and answer

Leaves falling off recently transplanted mature Mountain Laurel
July 05, 2006 - I have recently purchased a Mountain Laurel for my backyard landscaping. It is a fully matured ML standing over 9 feet tall by 6 feet wide. Since it was planted (about 6 weeks ago) it has been losin...
view the full question and answer

Florist Gloxinia Care
October 01, 2015 - Got a florist gloxinia and it was doing great for months. Went on vacation and returned; it was wilted. Think son watered it too much. Allowed it to dry. It has some new leaves forming on the very leg...
view the full question and answer

Failure to bloom of non-native Althea in Oklahoma
August 17, 2008 - I have 2 Althea bushes that will not bloom. For the past 2 years, they become covered in buds, which eventually yellow, but never open. The buds are fully developed. This year the branches have starte...
view the full question and answer

Time to trim oak trees in Austin
October 29, 2011 - We have several large oak trees in desperate need of a good trimming. Given that the trees have had a very stressful drought year, when would be the best time to trim them?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.