Bermuda Grass Information Page
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Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon (syn. Panicum
dactylon, Capriola dactylon), also known as dūrvā
grass, Bermuda Grass, Dubo, Dog's Tooth Grass,
Bahama Grass, Devil's Grass, Couch Grass, Indian
Doab, Grama, and Scutch Grass, is a grass native to
north Africa, Asia and Australia and southern
Europe. The name "Bermuda Grass" derives from its
abundance as an invasive species on Bermuda; it does
not occur naturally there.
The blades are a grey-green colour and are short,
usually 4–15 cm long with rough edges. The erect
stems can grow 1–30 cm (rarely to 90 cm) tall. The
stems are slightly flattened, often tinged purple in
color. The seed heads are produced in a cluster of
3–7 spikes (rarely two) together at the top of the
stem, each spike 3–6 cm long. It has a deep root
system; in drought situations with penetrable soil,
the root system can grow to over 2 m deep, though
most of the root mass is less than 60 cm under the
surface. The grass creeps along the ground and root
wherever a node touches the ground, forming a dense
mat. C. dactylon reproduces through seeds, through
runners and rhizomes. Growth begins at temperatures
above 15°C (59°F) with optimum growth between 24°C
to 37°C (75–99°F); in winter the grass becomes
dormant and turns brown. Growth is promoted by full
sun and retarded by full shade, e.g., close to tree
trunks.
Cultivation and uses
C. dactylon is widely cultivated in warm climates
all over the world between about 30° south and 30°
north latitude, and that get between 625–1,750 mm
(25–69 inches) of rainfall a year (or less, if
irrigation is available). It is also found in the
U.S. mostly in the southern half of the country and
in warm climates. It is fast growing and tough,
making it popular and useful for sports fields, as
when damaged it will recover quickly. It is a highly
desirable turf grass in warm temperate climates,
particularly for those regions where its heat and
drought tolerance enable it to survive where few
other grasses do. It has a relatively coarse-bladed
form with numerous cultivars selected for different
turf requirements. It is also highly aggressive,
crowding out most other grasses and invading other
habitats, and has become an invasive species in some
areas. This invasive nature leads some gardeners to
give it the name of "devil grass".
Medicinal values
Cynodon dactylon has been studied at the University
of Allahabad in India, and is said to have many
medicinal properties including antimicrobial and
antiviral properties, as well as treatment of
urinary tract infections, prostatitis, syphilis, and
dysentery.[1] Primarily the research being conducted
on C. dactylon involves its glycemic potential,
which is involved in the treatment of diabetes. The
majority of research has only been performed on lab
rats but the numbers are interesting. In laboratory
rats treated with the ethanolic extract of defatted
C. dactylon, hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic results
were observed on the blood glucose levels of the
tested population of lab rats.[1] Test populations
showed nearly a 50% drop in blood glucose levels
when the proper dosage was administered.[1] There is
potential for Cynodon dactylon to become an
alternative to current diabetes medications in the
future.
WHEN TO PLANT BERMUDA
SEED?
The BEST time to plant Bermuda seed is in late
spring / early summer after soil temperatures are
65-70+ degrees or higher and all danger of freeze or
frost is past. This generally takes 80+ consistent
day highs in temperatures to achieve this level of
temperature in the soil. Sufficient moisture must be
available during establishment.
Bermuda is a warm season grass and should generally
NOT be planted in late fall. It loves hot weather
and grows best when temperatures are 90-100 degrees.
Thus hot weather / summer months are excellent for
fast germination of Bermuda seed, provided that
sufficient water is available to keep the soil
moist. Early spring plantings may be slow to
germinate until soil temperatures warm sufficiently.
Planting outside the correct soil temperature window
of time is always more risky.
In the fall the turf grass rule of thumb is that
Bermuda should not be planted after mid August...
AND it should not be planted later than 90 days
before first expected frost in more Northern states
or 60 days before first expected frost / freeze in
more deep-south Southern locations. Again, keep in
mind that when temperatures at night are 60 or lower
that the growth establishment activity of this grass
slows or stops. In areas where low temperatures do
not occur it may be planted year round (Hawaii,
Caribbean, South Florida).
Risk of late plantings:
Bermuda seeds planted too late in the year, runs the
risk of not producing and storing enough food
reserves to last through the winter dormancy period.
Basically the plants starve and then die because not
enough growth occurs after planting to store the
needed food in the root system. Dormancy is not a
complete stopping of activity, so even when dormant
the plant still needs nutrients and water to
survive.
Dormant Winter Seeding:
Occasionally if late fall planting is absolutely
required, you can attempt the more risky planting
method using the dormant seeding method in late
fall. In most cases it is recommended that you use
Un-hulled seeds. Most of the new seeded varieties
are only sold as hulled seed and thus should not be
planted in the fall. Read more about Dormant
Seeding.
Bermuda Plugs, Sprigs and Sod:
Plugs, Sprigs and Sod will not produce roots unless
the soil temperature exceeds 55o F for several
weeks. Keep this in mind when deciding on when to
sprig, plug or sod a warm season grass such as
Bermuda. In addition, even though a grass may be
dormant in the winter, it still requires a certain
amount of water to survive. Dormancy does NOT mean
dead, simply that activities have slowed much as we
humans slow during sleep.
Bermuda Grass - Dormant Seeding:
Some people do what is called winter "dormant
seeding”... In this method they wait until after
cool weather arrives and there is no danger of the
temperatures returning above 60-65 degrees. They
then plant the seeds and expect that the seeds will
lie dormant in the soil until warm temperatures
return in the spring. Germination then occurs in the
spring after soil temperatures rise above 65
degrees. |
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