Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo Grass & Turf Supplies

FAQ's

What turf variety should I use?

Selection of the most suitable turf variety for your situation is a somewhat subjective process. Firstly, you must consider varieties that perform best in your local soil and climate. There is no sense trying to grow a turf variety in an environment it was not designed for. Secondly, you should look for a variety that combines the overall qualities that are most important to you: aesthetics, maintenance, environmental aspects etc.

Sapphire Buffalo Grass will perform in sun and shade, is drought tolerant and will grow in a wide range of soil types. Sapphire Buffalo Grass is an excellent choice due to its high performance and superior fine texture.

Where can I buy Sapphire Buffalo Grass?

Ozbreed does not sell Sapphire Buffalo Grass directly however you can purchase Sapphire Buffalo Grass from our licensed growers and various turf supplies retail outlets. Please go to our where to buy page and identify a grower close to your area and they will supply you with the information you require.

Can I buy Sapphire Buffalo Grass in seeded form?

All of Ozbreed's turf varieties are vegetatively produced, they are not sold in the seed form. There are other turf varieties that are sold as seed, but to date, no warm season Buffalo grass has shown adequate performance.

Are your turf varieties sold in Viro-Cell?

You can purchase Sapphire Buffalo Grass in Viro-Cell® lawn. For more information on Viro-Cell® Buffalo lawn or to find a Viro-Cell buffalo lawn and turf supplies stockist, please visit www.ozbreed.com.au

Exactly what is a Viro-Cell lawn and how do I use it?

Viro-Cell lawn are plastic trays that hold 49 seedlings 25mm X 25mm X 62mm deep of pre rooted turf. These seedlings or Viro-Cells®, are primarily installed in lawns for repair and renovation work but can also be used to start a new buffalo lawn. Viro-Cell buffalo lawn has many benefits and may be just what you need to accomplish your goals.

How should I water my Sapphire Buffalo Lawn in a shaded area?

Once your Sapphire Buffalo Lawn is established, shaded areas continue to require less water than full shade areas. A fungicide may be needed during hot rainy periods when the grass blades remain moist for prolonged periods to reduce grey leaf spot and brown patch. For an established shaded buffalo lawn, a good rule of thumb for watering is to allow the grass to wilt slightly, apply up to, but no more than 2.5cm of water; only water again when there is more wilt. There are occasions when spot watering will be necessary.

Will Sapphire Buffalo Grass grow in my region of Australia?

Sapphire Buffalo Grass will thrive in most populated areas of Australia.

Should I seed or turf my yard?

There is a common misconception that seeding is the best way to establish a lawn because it is much less expensive than turf. In reality, turfing the area turns out to be less expensive over time once costs such as increased maintenance inputs and repairs are accounted for. Add to that the instantaneous and finished look you achieve with turf and its clear to see that turfing the area is preferable in most instances.

Here are other points to consider when deciding to seed or turf:

A professional turf lawn needs no special care because it is a healthy mature lawn when installed, whereas a sprigged or seeded lawn requires years of nurturing to reach maturity. Instant turf has been specially grown to reach maturity prior to laying. After it has been installed, just water, mow and fertilise your turf lawn as needed and it will remain a healthy, green carpet of grass, requiring very little maintenance.
Turf can be installed practically anywhere, even when seeding is impossible or too costly. Turf is often used to stop soil erosion and water pollution on slopes where rain would wash away both seed and soil. - Turf establishes itself quickly. In 6 weeks, it is ready for full use. It creates the perfect surface for lawn games and outdoor living. With today's various blends of hardy grasses, turf is chosen for parks, golf courses, athletic fields as well as residential homes and business parks.
Turf is the only way to go from bare soil to lush, green lawn in just hours. Yet it is relatively inexpensive to use. In the few hours that it takes you to install your lawn, your property value increases significantly and even more in aesthetic value.
- With today's ecological concerns, many more people are considering turf for its environmental benefits. Turf cools and cleans the atmosphere by reflecting the suns heat and absorbing noise, carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants. It releases valuable oxygen and moisture into the air we breathe. As it grows turf silently contributes to a healthier environment.
Today we expect convenience, efficiency and quality in our products. Buildings are going up almost over night and attractive landscaping is installed in hours. Why wait one or two years for a new lawn to struggle to maturity when you can have a beautiful lawn installed in hours, at a surprisingly low cost.

How does Ozbreed control the quality of their turf varieties?

Ozbreed has developed a quality program designed so that only high quality, genetically pure, competively priced turf varieties are grown. Highlights of this program include a rigorous licensing process that identifies quality and service orientated growers, suppliers to most geographic regions ensuring adequate supply at competitive prices, genetically pure plant stock material that originated from approved sources, quality control stamped invoices, and an onsite inspection of licensed grower's farms by Ozbreed.

This program along with our participation in several regional certification agency programs, should give consumers an added sense of assurance that the buffalo grass variety they are purchasing from a licensed grower is of the highest quality.

Are there any other types of fine leaf high performance soft leaf buffalo grass?

Sapphire buffalo grass is unique because it is the only high performance soft leaf buffalo grass with a fine leaf. There are other varieties of fine leaf Buffalo grass, however these varieties are not high performance. High performance with turf refers to the ability of the turf to recover from wear and damage that may be caused. A Sapphire buffalo lawn will recover quickly and cover areas that may wear out. A Sapphire buffalo lawn also has a deep and dense root system where most other fine leaf soft leaf buffalo grass varieties do not. This makes Sapphire Buffalo Grass drought tolerant.

How do I successfully grow Sapphire Buffalo Grass in shaded areas?

Sapphire Buffalo Grass is a shade tolerant cultivar, but the following information must be taken into consideration. Turf in general declines in quality as the degree of light decreases in a given area. Every shade situation is unique unto itself. Details such as the degree of shade, elevation of tree branches, type of soil and maintenance variables must also be considered in determining whether or not to install turf in a shaded area.

We believe the best way approach is to test a small shaded area using Viro-Cell lawn or small amounts of buffalo grass before heavily investing in a large area. Sapphire Buffalo Grass is shade tolerant but must have 2-4 hrs of sunlight to survive. The best scenario is to have Sapphire Buffalo Grass installed into an newly landscaped lawn, which permits a gradual adaptation to the shaded environment.

Installing Sapphire Buffalo Grass or any other type of turf in heavy shade during the hot, humid summer months is recommended only for professionals that understand special measures and techniques used for satisfactory results. It is best to turf shaded areas during cooler months when the stress caused by heat and turf is minimized. If a Sapphire buffalo lawn will not survive in your shaded area consider using some alternative ground cover.

When is the best time to plant Sapphire Buffalo Grass, and what do I need to consider when planting?

The best time to plant Sapphire Buffalo Grass is in Spring or Autumn like other turf varieties. However if the turf is planted in Summer care must be taken due to dry and hot conditions. Prior to installation, prepare the soil appropriately (see installation tips). The buffalo grass must be freshly cut, delivered promptly, and placed within 36 hours of cutting.

During the hotter summer months, installation should occur within 24 hours or less when possible. Sapphire Buffalo Grass is a dense cultivar of soft leaf buffalo grass that must be given special attention during hot weather. The temperatures on the pallet can easily reach 130 degrees which will "cook the grass" if not cooled or placed immediately. Slight yellowing is normal when placing turf during summer conditions, but deep yellowing or browning indicates older grass which may not recover from transplanting. Cutting , shipping, and placing turf must be more carefully coordinated during the hotter months of Summer.
Initial establishment of the buffalo lawn is the most critical stage.

The turf has been produced in full sun, had its roots cut off, and is being placed in a different environment! Water the turf for 1 hour upon installation. After that, water one to three times a week, depending on the amount of shade, type of soil, drainage, etc. Shaded areas require less moisture than sunny locations. DO NOT KEEP THE GRASS SATURATED WITH WATER! It is better to allow the turf to wilt slightly than to over water.

The buffalo grass should put down new roots within a week to fourteen days. If no new roots are showing and/or if you are seeing brown spots in your buffalo lawn, apply a fungicide and call your supplier or buffalo lawn care expert immediately. A fungicide containing the base chemical Daconil 2787 may be applied topically to aid in reducing leaf spot during the re-establishment period. For more serious problems, systemic fungicides such as Banner (Immunox), Cleary's 3336 (Thiophate), or Bayleton (Fung-away) may be used. Time is of the essence!

Is Sapphire Buffalo Grass salt tolerant?

Good, similar to other Buffalo grass varieties.

Where did Sapphire Buffalo Grass originate from?

Sapphire Buffalo Grass originated from Clarendon, NSW in 2001. For more information on the breeding of this turf variety please visit the following link http://pbr.ipaustralia.optus.com.au.

So Fine So Soft
Just touch it, feel it, and look at it.
You will be impressed with a Sapphire Buffalo Lawn.