"Adrian" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 21:50:22 +1100, Chookie
wrote:


Our wintergreen couch lawn has been constantly producing sead heads
all summer. I have tried soil wetters, fertlising, extra watering,
weekly mowin; all with no success.

Er, what's the problem?

The problem is the sead heads - they are itchy. According to the
supplier it should only sead for a few weeks each year, which is
exactly what it did last summer.

I have read elsewhere that they are a sign of stress - but can't work
what the lawn might be stressed about!

Hi
It may be itchy but there isn't anything you can do about it. One of the
Horticulturists at work seems to insist that any plant that is flowering
well (thus your lawn producing seed heads) is under stress, and I've heard
it elsewhere. The story being it's stressed, it may die, so it's trying to
reproduce. I have seen plants in poor condition, that won't flower, so my
argument is temperature, light/light periods, and water play more of a part
in flowering than stress.
My guess is the extended warm temperatures this summer are keeping it
producing seed heads. We have the odd azalea at work still flowering, they
aren't stressed and as healthy as the others. Your extra fertilising may be
a little high in potassium keeping it flowering for longer. If it is stress
then maybe too much water, esp considering you've added a wetting agent. But
i'd go with the temperature/extended season theory.
Our fairways at work were still seeding about a week ago. The couch I have
here in the backyard is slightly but in areas of shade it isn't anymore.
Bear with it, and hopefully next summer won't be as long.
Good luck