Princess 77 Bermuda Grass Seed

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Princess 77 brand Bermudagrass seed is the world's first dense, fine textured, seeded hybrid Bermudagrass variety. Princess 77 Bermuda Grass rules the Bermuda grass Kingdom! It will cost you a fraction of what you would pay for sod and it is the first and only true hybrid Bermuda grass available from seeds. This is because this new grass variety is a break through variety with easily recognizable improvements. Everyone wants this bermuda grass due to its quite noticeable thicker density and fine turf look.

Certified Princess 77 Bermudagrass is the world's first dense, fine textured hybrid bermudagrass variety to be available in seeded form. Known as experimental variety, SWI-77, Princess is a very dense, dark green, fine textured hybrid bermudagrass that can be established from seed. It is the product of two self-sterile clones that are established vegetatively in certified production fields. The resulting progeny seed is the variety, Princess.

Princess 77 is such a high quality bermuda grass it has been used in the NFL 2004 and 2005 Super Bowl games.

More Princess 77 bermuda grass pictures at the bottom of page.

Princess 77 bermuda grass was rated #4 out of 29 seeded & vegetative varieties! As tested by NTEP.org (National Turf Evaluation Program).

Princess 77 Bermuda Characteristics & Advantages

• Has a dark green color
• Medium fine leaf Texture / High leaf density.
• Outstanding drought tolerance.
• Requires 21% LESS WATER than Tifway and less water than Tifway 419 Bermuda.
• Creates a beautiful lawn at much lower cost than sod.
• Excellent fall color retention
• Highest overall turf quality of all commercially available varieties in the US (including vegetative varieties -- sod and plugs).
• PRINCESS has a moderate spring green up and fall color retention
• Extremely dense with a fine texture - 1.8mm leaf width / 24.0mm length
• Easily established from seed
• Product of two self - sterile clones

Read More Data on PRINCESS 77

Recommended Usage

Golf course fairways and tees - manicured home lawns - well maintained sports turf and parks. Princess is the closest to "green quality" bermuda in a SEEDED variety available. It is NOT as high quality as most hybrids used on professional golf courses, but is similar in quality to Tif-419. Comparisons of Princess with hybrid & seeded varieties can be found at www.ntep.org -  We do NOT recommend Princess for green use except where the speed & level of play is not critical to equaling professional standards. Princess 77 is suitable for home putting greens.

Planting & Growing Princess 77 Bermuda Grass Seed

Adaptation of Princess 77 Bermuda

Used in Climatic Zones: 7-8-9-10-11-12*
(*May not be adaptable to all areas within each climatic zone)

Seeding Rate

1-2 pounds of seed per 1,000 sq. ft. - Under professional application. Homeowners: 2-3 lbs. per / 1000 sq.ft. --- We recommend 2 lbs / 1000 if broadcast. Princess seed are smaller than most coated Bermudas, thus the lower recommended seeding rates.

When to Plant Bermuda Grass Seed

Soil temperatures must be constantly above 70°F  -- air temperatures would be 80° after all danger of freeze / frost past. Night temperatures are a good indicator of soil temperature. Plant when night air temperatures reach a consistent 65 to 70°. Plant from spring to late summer for best results. Read more tips and recommendations on planting Bermudagrass a warm season grass.

Where to Plant

In full sun on well drained soil. Proper drainage is essential for successful establishment and the development of mature healthy turf.

Planting Method

For best results, take a soil sample and follow fertility recommendations prior to planting. Do not cover the seed with too much soil - no more than 1/4" (.6cm) covering over the seed is recommended. Water: Soil moisture around the seed must be maintained for about 1-2 weeks. Days to Germinate: Under ideal conditions, germination may begin within 7 days. Allow 4-18 days for completion. Plant when soil temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees.

Germination & Establishment

Germination will begin within 7 days under ideal conditions. Allow 14-21 days for normal full germination to occur. Under ideal conditions, full coverage may be attained between 4-6 weeks with proper management. If planting is occurring late or early in the season, allow longer for establishment.  Generally expect full coverage in 8-12 weeks.

After seeding, soil moisture in the root zone must be maintained for about 1 to 2 weeks, germination may begin within 7 to 10 days. After the new turf is established, less frequent, deep watering is desirable. Recommended mowing height is 3/16 to 1 inch (5 to 25 mm) with no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade removed per mowing -- see detailed mowing information below

Fertilize with 1/2 to 1 lb/1,000 sq ft actual N (0.25 to 0.5 kg /100 sq m) per month of growing season for optimum performance, fertilization may be reduced by 1/2 if clippings are returned. This is a dense hybrid – verticut at least once per growing season during periods of active growth.

Winter overseeding may be completed for year round green color, but is generally not recommended on turf less than 6 months old as the new turf may be damaged by the verticutting and scalping procedures.

Mowing Heights Are Very flexible - Possible to mow from 3/16" to 3"

• Manageable at 3/16 inch (5mm)... maintains good leaf density at mowing heights under 1.25" when mowed with reel mowers.
• Can be mowed at higher heights for general purpose home lawns (1.25 up to 3 inches) - Rotary mowers are fine for heights above 1.25 inches. - Most home / commercial lawns are best maintained at 1.5 to 2.5 inches for a good overall look. Rotary mowers can usually be used at heights above 1.5 inches.

The maintenance requirements for your grass will be determined by the height at which you wish to keep it mowed. Lower mowing heights may require verticutting due to the dense turf growth.

LOW MOWING HEIGHTS (Under 1")

HIGHER MOWING HEIGHTS 1.5 to 2.5 inches - Home Lawns

Mowing frequency of generally every 5 to 7 days for use in home lawns. The higher the mowing height, the less mowing required. In order to maintain a good leaf density and color you need to mow whenever the grass has grown 1/3 longer than the your desired maintenance height. For instance if your ideal maintenance height is 3/4 inch, you need to mow when the grass grows to 1". If the your ideal maintenance height is 1.5 inches, you need to mow when it reaches 2 inches in height.

Princess 77 Bermuda Grass Pictures

Above: Princess 77 mowed at higher heights.

Above: Princess 77 mowed at 3/16 inch.

Above: Princess 77 up-close.

Princess TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Courtesy of Pennington Seed