RTF grass seeds?

Question

Is Labarinth the only RTF grass?

Is it available pure, or only in mixtures?

If it's only in mixtures, is it because it has defects, which the mixtures hide?

Answer 1

Tall fescues are a bunch type grass with typically very weak rhizomes. We don't call tall fescue a rhizomonous grass because it typically does not spread via rhizomes. Barenburg is the company that has been leading the development of RTF type Tall fescues. I do not believe that other varieties of tall fescues with strong rhizome activity can be called 'RTF' because Barenburg owns the trademark on 'RTF'. Other variates like Barrington, Grande II, Titan Ltd., Rendition, Kittyhawk 2000, & Winter Active Fescue do have stronger rhizome activity, but they can not carrying the 'RTF' designation. Labarinth RTF is the first named RTF cultivar on the market from Barenburg. In a study done by Ohio State University, all the rhizomonous active tall fescues showed less rhizome activity than thought. Grande II had the most rhizome activity in this study. Also, this study showed that these tall fesuces had improved density over previous rhizomonous active tall fescues.

Labarinth RTF is patented by Barenburg. This means that no other seed producer can produce Labarinth RTF seeds without paying royalties to Barenburg. Water Saver blend is the only grass seed available in the consumer market today with Labarinth RTF that I know of. Labarinth RTF is available commercially. If you are a business, you should be able to buy pure Labarinth RTF seeds. Blends are used for several reasons. No one turf grass is ideal in all growing conditions. Blending multiple grasses allows you to compensate and offer a product that can grow in more environments. Also, multiple grasses give a turf a better chance to survive a disease. Lawns based on one grass seed cultivar can be completely destroyed by a single disease.

Answer 2

news to me, but lots on the web