Plant Growth Regulators

Plant growth regulators (also known as plant hormones) are chemical substances that are sprayed or applied to a plant to influence the growth and differentiation of plant cells, tissues, and organs.

Depending on the type of plant growth regulator hormone used (of which there are auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene), the plant will be affected in different ways, such as having its growth stunted or grow faster.

PGRs are useful in agriculture to help crops grow consistently and in a timely fashion. In residential landscapes, they can help improve grass quality and stress tolerance, enrich the color of the turf, and make it more durable.

Plant growth regulators are very easy to apply. Follow the label directions to properly mix your selected PGR in a pump sprayer and apply it to your plants, ensuring the entire surface is evenly coated.

Shop our professional plant growth regulator products here. For more detailed advice and lawn care recommendations, contact us directly via phone, email, or live chat. A Solutions Pest & Lawn representative will happily address any of your concerns.

Our Recommendations

Ethephon 2SL Plant Growth Regulator- is a plant growth regulator that slows down the growth of turfgrasses and undesirable fruits. It works both systemically and foliar.

T-Nex Plant Growth Regulator - is a plant growth regulator that slows down turf growth, helping both cool and warm-season grasses be more resistant to environmental stress and improving appearance. It is ideal if you want healthier-looking grass.

We highly recommend the above plant growth regulators, which are safe to use and beneficial to turfgrass. What you choose depends on your turf type, your budget, and how you would like to apply the product.

If you want to reduce lawn mowing frequency, the above PGRs are worth the price and will last a long time.

Tools Needed

• Handheld Sprayer
• Selected PGR Product

PPE

• Chemical Resistant Gloves
• Dust / Mist Mask
• Safety Glasses

How to Use Plant Growth Regulators

Step 1: Determine how much PGR You Need

You need to know how much PGR product to mix by first measuring the square footage of your treatment area.

To do this, measure the treatment areas' length and width in feet, then multiply them together (length x width = square footage).

It is vital to check the label before applying, as application rates vary depending on turf type and mowing height.

Depending on the application site and foliage the application rates will vary for each product. 

For undesirable fruit elimination on ornamentals such as carob, mix 6.0 fl. oz. of Ethephon 2SL Plant Growth Regulator per 20 gallons of water. For all other listed foliage, use 12.0 fl. oz. of product per 20 gallons of water. 

To control residential and commercial turf with T-Nex Plant Growth Regulator, apply 33 or 44 fl. oz. of product per 0.5 gallons of water per 1,000 sq. ft. 

Step 2: Mix the PGR

Mix the PGR by combining part of the selected PGR product with sufficient water based on your calculations.

The best way to do this is to fill your sprayer halfway with water, add the appropriate amount of PGR, then fill with the remaining half of the water and agitate the sprayer well.

Step 3: Apply To Plants

Apply the PGR mixture to your turf grass on a fan nozzle setting for uniform coverage. Aim your sprayer in a sweeping motion while taking steps back until you’ve treated your entire lawn.

Things To Consider

Be sure you are using a sprayer that has not been used for herbicides or other pesticides, as this can affect results and even damage the plant from which you are trying to eliminate the disease.

To avoid mixing herbicides and contaminating chemicals, we suggest taking a Sharpie and labeling your spraying equipment to differentiate them. For instance, label a sprayer with “herbicide only” or “Fungicide only” so you won’t accidentally mix chemicals.

If you have a large yard, you may want to consider using a hose-end sprayer instead so you won't have to refill your gallon sprayer with PGR constantly.

Key Takeaways

• Plant Growth Regulators are chemical products that can suppress or speed up lawn growth, depending on your preference.
• Our top PGR Recommendations are T-Nex Plant Growth Regulator and Ethephon 2 SL. Mix the PGR in a pump sprayer and apply to your lawn at an ideal time (when daytime temperatures are 65 degrees Fahrenheit and rising). 
  The benefits of PGR far outweigh the costs, and it may be a necessity if you like to maintain a short-height lawn and don't want to mow frequently.