Zenith is the progeny of
three parent plants which have yellow-white flowers. Each
parent was selected for superior attributes such as leaf
texture, color, disease resistance, drought tolerance, fall
color retention, uniform color when dormant, and early
spring green up.
Zenith is in the Japonica
family, as is Meyer Zoysia, and is similar to Meyer in many
respects, including blade width and color. It is somewhat
less dense, thus making it easier to mow and providing a
better opportunity for interseeding with tall fescues for
year-round color. Zenith grows well in full sun or under
light shade, and is presumed to have good cold tolerance.
When compared with turf
produced by Japonica seed imported from the Orient, Zenith
is far superior in appearance with a finer blade, brighter
color, better rust resistance, much better fall color and
earlier spring green up.
Planted shallow on a newly
prepared seedbed and watered frequently, Zenith germinates
readily, producing a stand of seedlings in as little as 10
days. Like all Zoysias, it grows and spreads slowly, and
therefore seeding rates of one to three pounds per 1,000
square feet are recommended. Even so, users are cautioned to
not expect an establishment rate com-parable to seeded
Bermudas, ryegrasses, fescues and other fast growing
grasses.
Cost Comparison: Zoysia sod
would be a bargain at $400.00 per 1,000 square feet, plus
the cost of installation on a prepared, fertilized seedbed.
The cost of Zenith seed for the same area is in the $30 to
$60 range.
It was a long road. After
more than 50 years of searching, observing and evaluating,
ZENITH® ZOYSIA
SEED IS HERE AND
NOW, AND IN COMMERCIAL QUANTITY!
Characteristics
- best adapted turf for the
transition zone
- low water requirement
- low nutrition requirement
- winter hardy
- less frequent mowing required --
from 1 to 2 inches -- with either reel or rotary mowers
- dense turf resists weeds
When To Plant
The best time to plant is in mid-spring after the last
frosts are expected and when soil temperatures are up to 70
degrees F (22° C). Seeding is safe in late spring and summer
up to 60 days before expected frost in the lower South and
90 days before frost farther North.
Seedbed Preparation & Planting
Prepare a level, loose seedbed free of sticks and stones.
Lime as needed to produce a pH of 5.8 to 6.5 (add 50 lbs.
dolomitic limestone per 1,000 square feet if pH is not
known). Apply 10 to 15 lbs. of 5-10-15 or similar analysis
fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. All grasses perform better
where lime and fertilizer is tilled deeply into the soil.
DO NOT USE ANY TYPE PRE-EMERGE WEED CONTROL FOR AT LEAST 90
DAYS BEFORE SEEDING. ROUNDUP SPRAYED TO KILL EXISTING
VEGETATION DURING SEEDBED PREPARATION IS SAFE.
Broadcast the seed uniformly at a rate of one to three
pounds per 1,000 square feet (45 to 100 lbs. per acre). Rake
lightly to mix the seed into the top one-quarter inch of
soil (adequate light speeds Zoysia seed germination;
therefore the seed do not want much soil cover). Roll if a
roller is available.
Water up to four times daily to keep the surface CONSTANTLY
MOIST. Many weed seeds germinate quicker with less water
than Zoysia, so the idea is to get the Zoysia up and growing
along with quicker germinating, faster growing weeds that
would otherwise suppress it.
To Mature A Turf
Zenith Zoysia is a lifetime lawn. Like all zoysias, it is
much slower to mature a turf than are ryegrasses, fescues,
bluegrasses and bermudagrasses. Once a good stand of
seedlings is up, reduce watering to once daily or less as
needed to keep good moisture in the top three inches of
soil. About four weeks after seeding apply a high nitrogen
fertilizer every two weeks until it is evident that a good
turf will soon mature. Cease fertilization 60 days before
freezing temperatures are expected.
Begin mowing at a two inch cut-height when there is anything
to mow, including weeds. Mowing, plus the dense growth habit
of Zenith, will destroy many weeds. 2,4-D type herbicides
are safe when used according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
When the Zoysia is completely dormant an application of
Roundup will kill existing winter weeds and a late winter or
very early spring pre-emergent herbicide application can
provide a weed-free lawn.
Mowing And Fertilizing
Zenith looks best when regularly cut with SHARP mower blades
(reel or rotary) at a height of 1 1/2 inches in full sun, or
two to 2 1/2 inches under light to moderate shade. Once
established, Zenith will produce good ground cover up to six
inches tall with little or no mowing. Never reduce
cut-height radically--never remove more than one-third of
the foliage at one mowing!
Once a turf is matured Zenith needs a light application of
moderate nitrogen fertilizer each summer, or only every
other summer on better soils. It can maintain good density
and color and need cutting only every 10 to 14 days at low
fertility levels. Higher fertilizer levels produce deeper
color, but more growth means more frequent mowing.
Clippings need to be removed only when unsightly or very
heavy.
Disease and Insects
Zenith has good resistance to most diseases. Some rust may
be expected in cool spring weather and other leaf diseases
may show up in hot, humid weather, but the grass will
usually overcome same if water and fertility levels are
minimized. Soil insects such as grubs and mole crickets
limit the desirability of zoysias in Florida and the Coastal
Plain of the Southeast (they plague other grasses also) and
bill bugs can be a problem anywhere. Consult a local lawn
expert or the County Extension Service for control advice.
ZENITH MOWING HEIGHT EVALUATION STUDY: One of many
observation and comparative evaluation studies on Zenith
Zoysia. The above plot, in its third year under light shade
on a low fertility sandy loam soil has determined that:
(1) while any cut height from one inch to 2 1/2 inches is
satisfactory, Zenith when cut with a rotary mower looks best
more months of the year if the mower is set at 1 1/2 inches;
(b) that while once a week cutting produces the best turf,
Zenith can go without mowing up to 14 days during the peak
of the growing season;
(c) that when compared to Meyer Zoysia Zenith is easier to
mow, stays green later in the fall and greens up earlier, is
equal or superior in leaf disease resistance and only
slightly less attractive when Meyer is at its absolute best;
and
(d) that Zenith will thrive when fertilized only every other
year during the summer.
