Root Growth Testing - Zoysia Plugs in Pots

The clear winner that pushed the most roots:
Greene County Fertilizer Co - Sea-K
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[@Thelawncarenut]

here's the original video where you can see that RGS and Hydretain were the clear winners kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnPInYaqrbWUpqc (those pots sat for 4 months)

[@marpatnboots]

Great vid Al! After your rerun the experiment, could you do one for cool season lawns too please? Thanks for your hard effort!

[@USFmarine]

did the experiment get re-run?

[@WeatherNut27]

Really enjoyed this! The music, the editing, the test. Do more test videos! Interesting results

[@MichaelRei99]

I appreciate you putting the effort into these videos in those extreme conditions to educate and entertain us. I remember those last experiments well.

[@redextinction8929]

I would love to see more test like these. When it comes to any lawn care products or maybe to show what plug and tine aeration actually does to change a lawn

[@redextinction8929]

Also maybe a test of what cover to use on new seed from straw to straight dirt and peatmoss

[@WeatherNut27]

Me too, really enjoyed it. Hope Allyn takes some suggestions and puts them to the test. We Appreciate his work!

[@christyharberson7877]

Those palm trees bout to get busy!! But I’m interested to see how the redo with the starter fertilizer. I loved the color and top growth on that one.

[@jeffquimby3994]

I think you proved the combo of rgs and humic 12 is a great base to start with. And hydretain will bring the whole thing home. For me this was the first year I did a regular schedule with humic 12. I tried hydretain in June. My lawn has never looked better. Thank you for great product offerings.

[@NineteenHand]

The best result will be the palm trees growing several feet in the next couple weeks.

[@bradygaming5034]

Couple two tree weeks lol

[@richardgordon245]

Tall palms get to be a chore to trim .becareful what you wish for.😮

[@Barry.ONeill]

Could you move a Tallish palm tree without killing it ?

[@upsandbrowns7331]

Mr. LCN ❤ur content. Ur a God sent for the novice lawn care, dude. Thanks, keep up the GREAT work! By the way ❤ the t-shirt Skynyrd fan 4 life!!! God bless✌🏻

[@johnjrkean7008]

Love the honesty......this is why to be safe I use them all lol .....feeds my spraying addiction and helps the grass haha

[@dhnvideos2859]

Very interesting results. I'm definitely surprised at how slow zoysia likes to grow that those roots grew so quickly!! Great job!

[@whitenep]

I think your root theory explains the GreenPop result. You gave the roots everything they needed for the plant to grow and it did. The plant could spend its energy on top growth where it could seek sunlight and the plant had no reason to expand its roots. The others grew roots to seek the nutrients they lacked.

[@adamc1706]

Really goes to show that all is needed is nitrogen, I doubt you would ever notice any massive issues due to “short” roots.

[@PFDarkside]

Very interesting test! For the next I’d be curious to see an additional “kitchen sink” test that’s a little starter with some RGS and Hydretain.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Man, what an awesome video, regardless of the hiccups. For me, it proves that biostimulants aren't just snake oils. To visually see this, well...first off makes me glad I've been using Sea K for several years, but to see a difference from water only, I think for me it solidifies the purchase of such products. I agree GreenePop had to have went bad, but can't wait for next video. Well done! Was excited to watch the results of this one.

[@davidscales1464]

Great experiment! Would love to see a granular fert used in the test!

[@susanwoodsnonprofitsolutio7216]

WOW! I didn't know you could plant in paver sand. I learned today. Thanks for sharing.

[@nathanmartin9308]

AWESOME test! I've always noticed there was something special when appling Sea-K. I could'nt ever put my finger on why, but could always tell a difference. More like a gut feeling that my lawn was happier, lol. Now I now why. Thanks Al for the info looking forward to seeing the next one.

[@Nils-H]

LCN! Excessive nitrogen makes the plan develop shoot growth over root growth. Grass plants are opportunistic in It’s nature, meaning if it get´s nitrogen, it will prioritise that over root growth. The more nitrogen over a certain amount, the root growth diminishes. This is why smaller doses of nitrogen is more beneficial, as it does not inhibit root growth. This can be achieved with slow release fert, or with spoon feeding fast release. STERF have some nice research on this.

[@AntoineClaquin-cf2hd]

Great content. Love the comparison experiments! Variables can be difficult to manage, good job and thank you for sharing

[@TheeEccentricEd]

I'd use a gallon jug for each product and apply at recommended intervals, plus then you have a premade gallon of product to use else where. On top of that, you can spoon feed for example the greenpop. It might be a longer testing, but more informative results for each product alone. This could help us target special locations that need this added to help type information. Great testing, I think I might have to add sea-K to my program.

[@joemccall8991]

Was just listening to the podcast and immediately get to see the results, sweet. Now do TTTF :)

[@ryanesposito5755]

These are great tests Alan, I am curious to see more. I have moved away from Next Gen products as the cost per application was insanely high vs. other products out in the market and my results were meh. I found other products to deliver better results pound for pound in my Zeon Zoysia. I also find that buying many products separately, like liquid iron, sea kelp, humic acid, micro nutrients and dissolvable urea (46-0-0) then mixing together in a tow behind sprayer or backpack sprayer can give a homeowner 20:1 value vs. buying this premixed stuff. Some of your results prove this point well when compared to placebo.

[@gerryhenning7337]

A ton of work! Thank you for all your efforts!!!

[@SootYourself]

This was fun. Geeking out on the lawn was awesome. Got my popcorn ready for part 2!

[@larrybird6696]

This is the type of lawn care video I'm searching for on KZbin

[@KevinPGA]

Really fun to watch. While the GreenPop didn’t grow longer roots, the color was sure beautiful! I’ll just keep buying the 4 packs, Stress Blend and Flagship. I don’t think throwing down your whole kitchen sink can ever be a bad thing! 😂👍

[@audireddevil]

LCN this was an awesome experiment to see. Would you ever try comparing the bio stims on different grass types?

[@kevindii7480]

This definitely confirms my purchases of Kelp Help and Liquid Kelp supporting the kelp farmers on the West Coast...this was awesome! I'm out here in San Antonio doing all that I can for my raised garden and lawn

[@gene570]

Outstanding "camera person" who did a fabulous job!!!

[@user-bh3iv1zg7z]

Please make the follow up as promised... That was great!! Interested to see with no bottoms, and with more information on the watering regimen required with no bottoms and the sun. I have very deep sandy soil which is dry right after I water it... not hard just drains well, so I am growing hydroponically, just like what you are doing in this sand(if no bottoms)... I need my Zoysia root system to develop for obvious reasons... Having the hardest time in full sun because I think the nutrients are washing away and getting used up faster... and water is in short supply.

[@welldidbytidd]

Favorite series you do

[@gspmom9437]

Best experiment for lawn products EVER

[@dorispowers9060]

Sea kelp it is then! Thanks for the info.

[@ShooterReadyStandBy]

Thanks for your time and effort towards this type of content. Interesting stuff.

[@livingincharlottencwithkev3789]

This was awesome. Definitely some interesting results.

[@_Rick_S]

I started out thinking the longer the roots the better but I think the opposite is actually true. Wouldn't a better fertilizer cause the roots NOT to shoot down in search for nutrients? I'm definitely not a botanist, I could be wrong 🤷🏻‍♂️😆 I'd use Greene Pop based on its growth and dark green color, no root growth means it wasn't needing food besides the Greene pop. I bet when used as recommended it would get a new lawn up and running really well. Would be super interesting to see this done with seed

[@WeatherNut27]

Good take on it. Also good for those who cant stick a screwdriver more than 3 inches deep. Lol

[@j2tumblin]

I think it may be more of what needs help when. There are times when the roots need stimulation to establish themselves and have the capacity to pull moisture much lower in the soil. I found it very interesting that what was good for root stimulation seemed to do little for top growth and color. Almost like an inverse relationship. I hope Allyn can find some actual experts in the biology of plants and grass in particular to comment on the results. I am also interested to see his next iteration of the test where he corrects for the containers holding too much water.

[@5-Sigma]

I was hoping this was going to be a "Rain Dance for Manatee County" video.

[@Thelawncarenut]

yes we need it! We had a good spell for about 2 weeks where I thought things would catch up but that ended quick.

[@xr1supra85ba]

Send some to St Cloud! Can probably count on one hand how many times it’s rained more than 0.3 in this summer over here.

[@williefree7089]

GREAT vid!!!! Now i know i need to get Sea-K to drive my lawns roots deeper and thicker!!

[@LawnNOrder]

Still impressive how the roots developed going through the different products.

[@patricksquires77]

I really appreciate this video and great job. Hard to control all elements - in each of the videos the left side of the video seemed to have more sun. Maybe element of time of day.

[@JH93688]

Try using a plant growth regulator like T-Nex plant growth regulator. Would like to see the root growth because that is the claim that they increase root growth.

[@bradygaming5034]

Got a little tropical storm coming your way we could sure use that here

[@matthewbergey5574]

Definitely an awesome video. Would also love to see more. Thanks Allyn!

[@ruslanbekn]

Well done! Looking forward to the next experiment!

[@albertm8576]

This was an excellent and very educational video. I ll be looking for the test on the St Augustine 👍

[@fredrickhaemker8434]

Love the new series, Breaki g Grass

[@lawn2learn]

I Miss the weekly uploads ❤

[@AndrewPuckett-vi9qu]

Me too

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

Interesting results. where is the st Augustine video link from 4 years ago?

[@NCGrassPlugs]

You beat me to it! Good work Al

[@kodibox8880]

Great video, looks ike RGS is snake oil, wish I didn't have 5 gallons of it.

[@eshskis1]

Excellent video

[@mikemeskel]

A few observations to make it a better experiment next time: - 16 ounces of mix is a lot. It isn’t necessarily helpful unless we are throwing down hard. - Have more than one pot for each variable. Maybe at least three. That seems like a lot of plants, but one plant for each variable is too small of a sample size. Looking forward to your second try.

[@mariorosa6540]

Awesome material!! Keep ‘em coming!

[@pughconsulting]

Time for a collab with Project Farm, my friend. Talk about a dynamic duo.

[@RiverdaleKingz5660]

Thanks for the experiment. I guess I'll have to order some sea kelp.

[@INFRNL1]

This was a cool experiment. I don't think removing the bottom will change anything personally. Those pots will drain all excess out except for what stays in the bottom plate. Good to see that the products I bought don't work as well as claimed. I would have thought RGS would have done well since it's a root growth stimulant. Here in Colorado hydretain doesn't seem to help either but looks like it might be helpful for the roots. looks like I will only order sea-k from now on or just use water as someone else mentioned, it would be better if there were at least 2 samples per but this still gives us a basic idea of what can be expected

[@eliotanders3488]

Great video! I love seeing how certain products are supposed to affect the soil and the lawn. I'm glad you picked zoysia as your test subject. I have a partial zoysia lawn and I'm always looking for ways to help push zoysia growth because I want it to take over. Can you tell which product generated the most rhizomes/lateral spread of the zoysia?

[@JeremyKorzo]

Great video LNC!! Enjoyed the Mow & Threw down some Flagship that got delivered today 🙌🏼 🇺🇸 Spread the Freedom 🤠

[@anchoranchor1926]

Really love these. I’m a huge fan!! Thanks

[@BermudaBrian]

Hey Al, so when's the follow up video going to come out? I'm really interested in this one!

[@C3EIT]

Alan great experiment! Could you include mycorrhizae fungi as part of the next experiment and its impacts on the root/plant? Thanks!

[@TheSoloAsylum]

I wonder if the green pop didn't put down roots because everything it needed was poured right on the plant. It didn't need to root.

[@bucky5063]

Great videos! Planted in what base layer? Thx

[@stevenyoung3187]

Regarding Green Pop, it’s 16-21-2 which is quite high in phosphorus (for root growth) plus reasonably high in nitrogen. There could be a few things at play here, firstly it’s a complete fertiliser so the plant has no incentive to go deep for nutrients, and secondly the high nitrogen content may cause the grass to prioritise its energy into above ground leaf growth rather than root growth. Perhaps another experiment with 2 or 3 pots using Green Pop and the same setup for another similar starter fertiliser? Also, a new setup using a zero-nitrogen fertiliser such as 0-21-2? Notwithstanding, a very interesting experiment 👍

[@faamecanic1970]

Hummm … about out of biostim ….looks like I will replace RGS with SeaK. Looking forward to next test.

[@gmcjetpilot]

My tall fescue is too hard to grow in Memphis area (hot summer). LOOKS great, everyone raves about it (most lawns are Bermuda and weeds in area). Besides mole tearing it up and Bermuda evading the heat does a number on it. So I renovate every fall and it takes hold and looks good from Oct to June.Then June to Sept it struggles. This year it is doing good but the Burmuda and MOLE really was bad... THINKING OF OVERSEEDING WITH ZOYSIA SEED ($$$$$). I put in Zoysia sod between curb and sidewalk last year. It is thriving and looks great. I could not do fescue there because it is a heat island between street and sidewalk. It is working. I could sod my 3000 sq-ft but don't want to spend the many many thousands. I understand growing zoysia from seed is next to impossible. I could put plugs in but.... I am tired. Ha ha. I have a Bermuda issue and the herbicides to target Bermuda are $$$$. My other option GIVE UP and LET BERMUDA ENVADE... it is free and seems to love my fescue. I am going to go after it one more year but I am tired of spending all the time and money to get it cherry then to have bermuda, moles and heat tear it up....

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

We have some Zoysia lawns in Pa, and mine look great, and they look good cut tall, the way I cut my fescue lawns as well.

[@DW-ur4xt]

I planted zoysia from seed and turned out really good just have to take extra care of it I'm out of Nashville TN

[@TheBanshee90]

If you are pushing for a cool season grass. You could look into Kentucky Blue Grass SPF-30 Should improve on the heat and drought tolerance, will likely still go dormant in summer heat but probably give you 5 to 10 deg of extra protection.

[@NextLevelLawnCare]

This probably shows the benefit of deep and infrequent watering. with the pots holding water the roots sat still just as they would if your watering every day.

[@texasgreenlawn3807]

Looks like fun 😄

[@EvilVon777]

Well, grass grows in the A zone of soil. I'm not surprised in the root structure

[@joshuamartin8064]

Should I add vermiculite or sand to my hard compacted soil and what type of grass should I use its also full sun and I live in central California

[@Homegardener55]

Rockin the jorts

[@14NJGUY]

love these experiments!!!!

[@mkzenthusiasts]

Would the SeaK so the same with my KBG and most importantly would it strengthen the plant to help ward off fungus? Meaning an easier ability to power thru the rust fungus I have a problem with every year

[@frankc1430]

I would like to know what to use to kill clover in cool season grass?

[@davidcrowson4745]

Can you twist the bottom drain caps on the plant pots and then they'll drain... IDK. Check.

[@peskypeet]

Add Essential Plus 1-0-1 to the next test and perhaps a deeper pot.

[@natewalls4850]

Last time this test was done, the popular phrase “Look at those roots John Perry” was born.

[@DanieL-by6xs]

How about a pot with a combo of Sea Kelp and Starter Fert ?

[@stevedowling2309]

allen why 16oz, would you ever see this high application rate anywhere? that area might see a fraction of that amount in a lawn application. I love the concept though and its a great test otherwise

[@Nick210]

Although I use it in conjunction with Humic, I’m pretty disappointed with the RGS - you’d think it would have been the star of the show.

[@BrandanTheBroker]

I'm curious how those trees are doing now 😂

[@allanromano7085]

Wait, so RGS doesn’t help grow roots as much as the others?? Why buy RGS then? I’m confused as to what it’s benefits would be

[@TheBanshee90]

One variably you could also test is Foliar Application for The Root Stimulators and fert. Do a spray bottle (Ace has "ACE Ultra Fine 24 oz Mist Sprayer") foliar app let it sit for 4 hrs and then water it in. Test would deviate at point of adding the products. Mist all of the non foliar items (including a "control" for the SeaK, Humic, RGS, and GreenePop) with only water. Then utilize mist sprayer to get an even coat of each product on all the leaves. Let sit for 4 hrs and then complete the experiment like above.

[@Rasordiver]

Where did you get that 16oz from you put to each bucket?

[@randallhunter3912]

Where did you get them measuring cups?

[@rickjames6948]

Did you sterilize each pot prior to planting?

[@RachaelMaresh]

Can you replace SeaK for the RGS in the Yard Mastery app program since it appears to be more effective?

[@Thelawncarenut]

RGS works just fine - as mentioned in this video, I think the water sitting in the pots effected them and how the roots ran. If you watch the first video I did with RGS, you will see it was very effective kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnPInYaqrbWUpqc

[@bryanfelver6125]

I was shocked with this . I knew the sea k would do good but I thought the 4 seasons would of blew the sea k out of the water.

[@scottmuench6855]

The quantity should match typical volume over time, not massive over application

[@Thelawncarenut]

👍 agreed

[@texaspowerman]

Any follow up on this?

[@sarinhighwind]

Now how do you get zoysia to spread faster

[@stevenbanks4411]

Does it have to be cooler temps to apply the Sea K?

[@mattmcrae9420]

A whole video about roots, but not one "Look at those roots John Perry"... I'm heartbroken.

[@rickjames6948]

See the chemicals leaking out of the pots are cross contaminating each other? On the right side of the video? The final three super star products? Your cheap plastic table is caving in. Check that, I think your pots will not allow water back into the bottom of each pot right?

[@WhittyPics]

Hey Y'ALL

[@dorispowers9060]

Maybe next test use that stuff Doc uses called Dirt Booster.

[@toddfromflorida]

Definitely look forward to seeing the retest. I just had some big palms installed and gave them some rgs thinking that would drive some quick root growth which would help with getting water in this crazy hot summer. (even with me watering like crazy, they will still struggle some I would imagine) But now I think I should buy some Sea K.

[@ericb2861]

Alllyn it’s hard to get into Facebook membership say pending for weeks. I don’t do any other social media barely Facebook. Should I put out the Dithiopyr next week now it’s 8/23/23 if temp drop in low 80’s for 3 days then back high again? I know your fesque cool season program say wait to temp start trending down late august to early September. Trying to beat out germination of POA my nemesis before winter. Just wait until early September when temp go towards low 80’s to high 70’s and stay there?

[@Thelawncarenut]

Hey Eric- if you get my app called "yard mastery" it will tell you in the calendar section when to apply prodiamine. As far as the FB group, this is the public one - make sure this is the one you apply to: facebook.com/groups/thelawncarenut

[@ericb2861]

@@Thelawncarenut Allyn. It seem like I can leave comments in link. I barely know how to use Facebook and I am from social media demographics but the tail end I am 52 yr old. I only paid for cool season guide. I have the yard mastery app. It’s the one I use to do journals and buy from the store etc. I will check calendar section. Thanks.

[@dylan8285]

How bout one that has a lil bit of all the products. I'm sure the results will be an insanely full container of grass and roots but why not

[@beeroquoisnation]

The hydratain and fourplay had no reason to grow longer roots or a larger root mass as the water resource in the soil was maintained better than their competition. From left to right there was no water management agent to prevent compelling the plant to root deeper or send out more root shoots for support in the first three. Neat experiment, I won't pretend that the results were predictable. The starter fert surprised the hell out of me. Does the starter fert have any concentration of P&K, or only N? Very cooll LCN.