White, fat seedheads...The stuff of nightmares.
Here I have one standing up on the point of my key chain card.
I'm still trying to learn the why behind what happened to cause this.
Typically you can expect one good flush of seeds in the early spring.
In an effort to lessen the amount and size of the seeds produced, we
use growth regulating products designed to suppress seedhead production.
As far as I understand, these products are designed to be used only
once per year. Regarding our situation - I haven't been able to get any
recommendations on using these suppressants again heading into summer.
I believe this second flush of seeds is a product of the weather. In early March we had temperatures well above average, which caused an early flush of seeds from the poa. Temperatures in April were then typical of temperatures in March: cooler and very dry. Now in May our temperatures are around what we might see in April. I really think the turf is a bit confused as it has seen two periods of weather that typically serve as the signal to start producing seeds. There could be many other factors here, but I think the weather is having the most impact.
Poa annua seedheads are the bane of a smooth putting surface. Not much else does more to ruin the speed and consistency of the green surface. The actual process of producing seeds is also detrimental to root development of the turf. The turf diverts vital resources to produce seeds instead of roots. Unfortunately we will have to deal with these seedheads for another couple weeks.
I believe this second flush of seeds is a product of the weather. In early March we had temperatures well above average, which caused an early flush of seeds from the poa. Temperatures in April were then typical of temperatures in March: cooler and very dry. Now in May our temperatures are around what we might see in April. I really think the turf is a bit confused as it has seen two periods of weather that typically serve as the signal to start producing seeds. There could be many other factors here, but I think the weather is having the most impact.
Poa annua seedheads are the bane of a smooth putting surface. Not much else does more to ruin the speed and consistency of the green surface. The actual process of producing seeds is also detrimental to root development of the turf. The turf diverts vital resources to produce seeds instead of roots. Unfortunately we will have to deal with these seedheads for another couple weeks.
Oddly enough this is from the same green as the previous pictures. This biotype of poa hasn't seeded again.