ST 85

Overview

ST-85 is a Selected dwarf seedling from a cross between ST-19 and ‘Seville’ (US PP4,097; Riordan et al., 1980) ST-85 and is protected by a PBR (Plant Breeders Rights) and cannot be grown or sold without a licence. This PBR was granted in 1993

ST-85's performance during HAL project would be considered below average. From the HAL report the average Leaf Width is 4.86mm. Palmetto also has an average leaf length of 12.1mm.

Based on the HAL results ST-85 would not be recommended for areas of shade, having recorded the least amount of growth in shade trials.

During the HAL Project various tests were conducted for Quality, Colour and Thatch ratings. ST-85 results for Quality averaged across the test sites had a score of 71 from 100 (1st place score was 72) which is a very close equal 2nd place. ST-85 was also below average in the colour test scoring 64 from 100 overall which placed it 2nd last from buffalos reviewed here for colour.

ST-85 showed the 2nd lowest thatch levels when compared to other varieties, most of the buffalos showed similar levels of thatch only varying slightly by a few %. ST-85 average thatch levels were only 2% more than Wintergreen couch.

The disease tolerance of ST-85 was below average, ST-85 was the worst effected by "Gaeumannomyces wongoonoo" causing major damage to the turf. For full results and images of the disease trial please Click Here...

ST-85 was not the best performer in the testing, having the worst shade tolerance, and being in the middle of the pack for tolerance to Wear, ST-85 also turns purple in the winter and would not be an evergreen buffalo as some of the other choices reviewed here.

Individual Tests

Shade Test:

ST-85 was the worst performer in this test coming last for the growth rates in all tests. if shade is of concern in your lawn then one of the other varieties listed on this site would be a better choice.

	Grams per m2	Ranking	Average of all cultivars
Full Sun	3.64	2	2.98
30% Shade	3.51	2	2.87
50% Shade	2.33	5	2.25
70% Shade	2.13	=2	1.73

Wear Test

ST-85 was in the middle of the cultivars reviewed here. maintaining 0% bare ground until the 8th week where it was also affected by the wet ground, taking 7 weeks to cover the bare ground.