Princess 77 Bermudagrass Seed - Princess 77 bermudagrass is the first dense, fine textured hybrid bermudagrass variety to be available in seeded form. Princess 77 seed is produced much like hybrid seed corn, but instead of two inbred parent lines, two selfincompatible but cross-fertile parent clones are planted in alternating rows. The specific combining ability of these two elite parent clones is what makes Princess 77, an F1 hybrid, the first seeded bermudagrass that is competitive with the vegetative hybrid bermudagrasses for turfgrass quality, leaf texture, color, and density.

Application:

New Turf Applications: 1 - 2 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. (0.5 - 1 kg per 100 sq. meters).

One pound of unhulled Princess 77 contains 2,200,000 seeds compared to 1,400,000 for unhulled NuMex Sahara. That is 57% more seed or 800,000 more seeds per pound. That is why we recommend a lower seeding rate for Princess 77 compared to other varieties. Princess 77 should be planted when soil temperatures are consistently above 65º F (18º C). For best results, take a soil sample and follow fertility recommendations prior to planting. Care must be taken not to cover the seed with too much soil; no more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) covering over the seed is advised. 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.

Maintenance:

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. Full coverage may be attained in 4 to 6 weeks with proper management. Fertilize with 1/2 to 1 lb/1,000 sq ft actual N (0.25 to 0.5 kg  per 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.

Advantages of Princess 77 Hybrid Bermuda Grass:
Outstanding drought tolerance
Requires 21% less water than Tifway
Dark green color
Better divot recovery than Tifway
Medium fine leaf texture
High leaf density
Excellent fall color retention
Higher overall turf quality than all commercial seeded varieties in U.S. and International tests

Recommended use for Princess 77 Hybrid Bermuda Grass: Golf Courses (fairways and tees), Athletic Fields, Parks, and Home Lawns in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and California.

Plant Breeder: Dr. Arden Baltensperger - Seeds West, Inc.
Experimental Designation - FMC 77.