TurfNet Affiliate Member Profile:
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 The Grigg Brothers Proven Foliar™ product line has been specifically designed for foliar application and foliar absorption. All product formulations contain various amino acids and other facilitators which aid penetration into plant cells, effectively translocate to sites of action, and provide all or most of the nutrients needed by plants. This unique and proprietary chelation of minerals provides a tremendous advantage. The selection of natural facilitating compounds is mineral specific, i.e. no two formulas are alike and are optimal for that mineral. They function metabolically and are naturally occurring in the plant. As a combined result, the products are highly compatible (precipitation does not occur when mixed together). Additionally, Grigg Brothers also makes sure to match the best form of a nutrient with specific chelating agents in combination for the most reliable performance.
Equally superior products are available in the GreenSpec™ line of granular fertilizers and soil amendments. Each ingredient in GreenSpec™ granular fertilizers has a purpose as either a plant nutrient, or as an ingredient for soil improvement. At the heart of the GreenSpec™ fertilizer line lies a proprietary “protein” nitrogen (N) source technology. The results of this technology includes superior performance with controlled and lasting color response as well as environmentally safe and efficient nutrient delivery.
The GreenSpec™ soil amendments are a zeolite (clinoptilolite), a naturally occurring mineral with microscopic pores. Researchers have reported benefits in water use efficiency, environment leachate reductions, and plant fertility. They are available either impregnated with nutrients, or without nutrients. After years of research, it has been found that the high cation exchange capacity (CEC), high porosity, favorable moisture retention, and rigid structure make it a superior plant growth medium.
More about the unique Grigg Brothers Chelation & Foliar Feeding
Grigg Brothers only uses natural organic components that are selected to give the strongest chelate with a specific nutrient. Chelates differ in stability constants (strength, holding power of the nutrients). All Grigg Brothers chelates are treated against phosphorus using a blend of natural organic and amino acids which will hold against phosphorus. In fact all chelates may be combined directly with Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium; and remain in solution. The organic chelates have a high stability constant and are biodegradable.
A single chelating agent is not the best for all nutrients. One nutrient may be held strongly, the others weakly by the same chelating agent. The form of nutrient (ionic state) is important.
The strongest chelate requires the proper form of the nutrient. For example, the ferrous form of iron is not chelated as strongly as the ferric form of iron with organic and amino acids including citric; thus iron sulfate used as a source with organic acids may be ineffective and poorly chelated. Grigg Brothers uses ferric and ferrous in a combination at times so effectiveness is maximized for their customers. Grigg Brothers uses the form of the nutrient and type of chelating agents to give the strongest chelate.
TOURNAMENT PROGRAM
Generally speaking tournament preparation means a low height of cut to produce faster greens. The challenge to superintendents, who maintain tournament conditions, whether for a special event or year around, is to keep density and quality up while producing those desire fast greens. Tournament mowing heights typically are below .125 inches on both cool and warm season turf. Often during a special event greens are double cut in the morning and may be cut again in the evening. As mowing heights come down root growth ceases.
In an ordinary situation a turf plant will store ½ of all the carbohydrates produced in the root and utilize ½ for sustaining life functions. Around ½ of that carbohydrate reserve in the root is then excreted back into the rhizosphere as a microbial food substance called exudates. These exudates are a combination of protein, carbohydrates and sugars and these exudates sustain the life of the complex micro-community and the microbes in turn make nutrients in the soil available to the plant. This is the way Mother Nature intended to provide for the plants needs. A modern putting green mowed at 1/8 inch or less, regardless of if it is a warm or cool season grass, simple cannot produce enough photosynthesis to make enough carbohydrates to go around. The turf is trying to survive and utilizes all the carbohydrates available to do just that - survive. The plant therefore does a poor job of storing any carbohydrate reserve in the root.
In general the utilization level of Grigg Brothers foliar fertilization is very high, whereas common soil nutrient utilization even in the best conditions, including foliar applied but root uptake products, is very low. Roots only come in contact with a small percentage of the soil and combined with the fact that when soil temperatures are high or low, or soil pH is higher or lower than the optimum range the plant is then not always able to take up through the roots even those nutrients which are available in the soil. N, S, Fe, Mn, & Zn are critical nutrients needed for chlorophyll production and thus carbohydrate production. Calcium may also be in short supply as new root growth is restricted, even in a highly calcareous soil or when calcium is being supplied as a granular.
True foliar fertilization bypasses these problems as the applied nutrients are immediately available to the plant and no program executes the efficient application of nutrients better than those using the Grigg Brothers Proven Foliar™ line!
The Grigg Brothers tournament program is:
- Gary’s Green™ 4-7 oz / 1,000 ft2
- Tuff Turf™ 3 oz / 1,000 ft2
- Sili-Kal B™ 3 oz / 1,000 ft2
- Ultraplex™ 3 oz / 1,000 ft2
This mix supplies all nutrients needed for plant growth including those critical for photosynthesis. It also supplies a spreading agent for better leaf contact, a water buffer agent to bring the pH of the mix to the correct level for plant uptake and also contains biostimulants, sugars and amino acids. Both Tuff Turf™ and Sili-Kal B™ contain Silicon for added green speed. It is a complete mix.
Annual Bluegrass and Bermudagrass will require the higher rates of Gary’s Green™ and during the summer months those with annual bluegrass greens will do better to substitute 6 oz per 1,000 ft² of P-K Plus™, which contains potassium phosphite, in place of the Tuff Turf™ for help with "summer Stress Syndrome".
More Programs and recommendations are available online here: http://www.griggbros.com/program
Contact information:
Grigg Brothers
P.O. Box 128
Albion, ID 83311
US toll free: 888.246.8873
Outside US: 208.673.6340
Fax: 208.673.6342
www.griggbros.com
For product information, click here.
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