Looking at Plants

Stenotaphrum secundatum ‘Floratine’     Floratine St. Augustinegrass

Origin

Floratine was released in 1962 by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station.

Growth

Floratine spreads horizontally with stolons.

Establishment

Floratine can be established by sod, plugs, or sprigs. Sodding is by far the most common method. Plugging is sometimes used in smaller areas for patching in or refurbishing. Sprigging is most often done on sod farms when establishing a new field.

Floratine does not produce a viable seed.

Color

Dark Green

Texture

Coarse, but slightly finer than some other varieties.

Density

Although considered to have good density in comparison with some other St. Augustine varieties, it is would be moderate when placed next to some other fine bladed species.

Size

Shade

Floratine has fair tolerance to light and moderate shade.

Mowing

Mow at a height of 2 to 3 inches with either a rotary or reel mower. Floratine has a lower growth habit than some other St. Augustine cultivars.

Salt

It has good salt tolerance.

Cold

Floratine has fair cold tolerance.

Heat

Floratine has good heat tolerance.

Soil

Floratine will grow on a wide variety of soils. Its preferred pH range is 6.0 to 7.5.

Drought/Watering

There are many variables that can affect the drought tolerance and watering requirements. Generally speaking, Floratine is probably in the moderate range. It will usually require more frequent watering to maintain vigor during dry spells, so an irrigation system is usually recommended.

Wear

Floratine could be considered moderate in wear tolerance. Its leaf softness and texture reduce wear tolerance, but its good density is a plus.

Pests

Chinch Bugs – yes

Tropical sod webworms – yes

Armyworms - yes

Grass loopers – yes, but more rare

Grubs - yes

Mole Crickets – yes, but more rare

Billbugs – yes, but more rare

Bermudagrass  Mite – No

Banks Grass Mite – yes, but rare

Ground Pearls – yes, but rare

Scales –

Plant Hoppers – yes

Spittlebugs – yes, but St. Augustine seem to show more resistance than some other species

Nematodes – yes, with higher susceptibility to sting and lance nematodes. The St. Augustine cyst nematode only damages St. Augustine grasses.

Diseases

SADV –yes

Gray Leaf Spot – moderately  susceptible

Brown Patch – yes

Helminthosporium Leaf Spot –yes, but more rare

Fairy Rings –yes

Take-All Root Rot – yes

Pythium Root Rot – yes

Downy Mildew – yes, but more rare

Dollar Spot – yes, but more rare

Leaf Rust – yes

Anthracnose – yes, but rare

Weeds

When healthy, Floratine is very competitive with weeds because of its horizontal growth.