Plant Growth Regulators

A plant growth regulator (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 PGR hormone used(of which there are auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene) the plant will be affected in different ways, such as having it’s growth stunted or to grow faster.

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

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

Shop our professional plant growth regulator products here. If you would like more detailed advice and lawn care recommendations, you can contact us directly via phone, email or online live chat. Solutions Pest & Lawn representative will be happy to address any of your concerns.

Our Recommendations

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

T-Nex Plant Growth Regulator -  T-Nex 1AQ is a plant growth regulator that slows down turf growth, helping both cool and warm-season grasses be more resistant to environmental stress and improves appearance. It is ideal if you want healthier looking grass.

The above plant growth regulators are what we would highly recommend 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.

Generally, the average application rate is about .25 ounces per 1,000 sq feet every 3 to 4 weeks. If a gallon of PGR costs $160, that works out to $1.25 an ounce. So an application of PGR would cost less than 32 cents per 1,000 sq. ft. or $2.50 for an 8,000 sq. ft. lawn, for example.

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

User Guide

Tools Needed

• Handheld Sprayer
• Selected PGR Product

PPE

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

Step 1: Determine how much PGR You Need

You need to know how much PGR product needs to be mixed by first calculating the square footage of your treatment area. To do this, measure and multiply the area length times the width (length x width = square footage) The label is vital to check before applying as application rates vary depending on turf type and mowing height.

For Ethephon 2 SL, the rate is 5 fl. oz. in 1 to 2 gallons per 1,000 square feet. For T-Nex, the rate is 0.75 to 1.0 oz. per 1,000 square feet.

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 fill your sprayer halfway with water and then add the appropriate amount of PGR then fill with the remaining half of 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 even 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 you are trying to eliminate the disease from.

To avoid the chances of 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 constantly refill your gallon sprayer with PGR.

Key Takeaways

• Plant Growth Regulators are a chemical product that can suppress or speed up the growth of your lawn depending on your preference.

• Our top PGR Recommendations are T-Nex Plant Growth Regulator and Ethephon 2 SL. Simply mix the PGR in a pump sprayer and apply to your lawn at an ideal time (when daytime temperatures are 65°F and rising). 
  
  
• The benefits of PGR far outweigh the costs and may be a necessity if you like to maintain a short height lawn and don't want to frequently mow your grass.