Winter Gem - Green Couch - Summer 2006
Scientific name: Cynodon dactylon.
Other names: Species common names
Green couch (Australia), Bermudagrass (USA).
Cultivar name: Winter Gem.
Origin: Winter Gem resulted from a program of crossing and backcrossing other C. dactylon varieties to Wintergreen. Breeder: David Nickson, Victoria.
Global growing areas: Australia (available through licensed growers in 2007).
IP protection: Australian PBR certificate #3132 (granted 12 September 2006).
Details
- Texture: Fine.
- Description: Bright emerald green leaves. Leaf length (fourth internode) 1.9 mm-4.4 mm. Leaf width (fourth internode) 1.1-1.8 mm. (Data from PBR growing trial.)
- Use: Parks, general landscaping and domestic lawns.
- Mowing height: Best at 15-20 mm; down to 6 mm (with a cylinder mower).
- Method of propagation: Vegetative sod, sprigging of stolons.
- Preferred soil types: Sandy to clay loams (pH 6-8) maintained with good nitrogen fertility (as per other Cynodon dactylon cultivars).
Winter Gem - Green Couch - Winter 2005
Comments
Selected for winter quality and colour retention in Victoria.
Tolerances
- Heat: Good.
- Cold: Trial plots have maintained good turf quality during winter in southern Queensland and in Melbourne, Victoria.
- Shade: Unknown.
- Drought: Good tolerance of dry conditions.
- Salinity: Moderate salinity tolerance. Medium-high salinity tolerance among the green couch cultivars tested to date.
- Wear: Unknown.
- Herbicide sensitivity: DSMA and MSMA can be used to remove other grasses. A wide range of herbicides can be safely used to remove broadleaf weeds. Use only registered herbicides in accordance with the label.
- Pests and diseases: Lawn grubs (army worm, sod webworm) during summer and autumn.
Photos used on this page are not necessarily photos from DEEDI
For more information and updates on warm season turfgrasses, their production and management please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/turf
For updates on Winter Gem please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_4206.htm
