Cheltenham College, a prestigious independent school with a rich history, prides itself on immaculate grounds that reflect its high standards. Central to maintaining these exceptional grounds is Christian Brain, Head of Grounds and his knowledgeable team.
For the past decade, Christian has called upon Agrovista Amenity for expert advice and products, and in recent years, Attraxor has become a crucial tool in his turf management arsenal.
Cheltenham College, known for its academic excellence and beautiful campus, hosts numerous events and sports activities throughout the year. The main college field, spanning 3 hectares, is a focal point for many of these events, requiring meticulous care and attention to maintain its pristine condition.
Attraxor is a plant growth regulator exclusively available in the UK from Agrovista Amenity. It contains prohexadione calcium, which effectively manages the growth of amenity turf. By inhibiting the gibberellic acid pathway, Attraxor reduces turf height and biomass while promoting root growth and maintaining turf colour and quality. Its innovative formulation allows for fast leaf absorption, delivering almost instant results and offering flexibility in application timing, even during cooler weather.
Christian’s journey with Attraxor began a few years ago, thanks to a recommendation from Ray Hunt from Agrovista Amenity. “I first used Attraxor a few years ago. Ray suggested I give it a try, and I’ve had good results from it ever since,” Christian recalls. His application strategy is both efficient and effective, tailored to fit the busy schedule of an independent school.
Christian typically applies Attraxor in mid-May when the weather has improved, and the growing season is in full swing. He mixes Attraxor with fertiliser in three tanks to cover the 3-hectare main college field. “It helps reduce poa seedheads, which is great, and at that time of the year, the grass is growing a lot, so it helps to get a lot of bulk out of it. With the added bit of nitrogen, it gives it a nice colour,” Christian explains.
The timing of the application is crucial, coinciding with Cheltenham College’s Speech Day at the end of May, a major event which takes place on the field. “Attraxor helps present the field for all the visitors – it really shines it up and makes it ready for the day. It holds it nicely through the summertime as well,” says Christian.
The impact of Attraxor on the college grounds has been significant. Christian notes several key benefits:
Improved Turf Density and Appearance
“I’ve found that it improves density and enhances the appearance of the sward,” he says.
Reduced clippings and mowing frequency
“Reduced clippings and mowing frequency helps in the busy spring/summer period.”
Enhanced root formation
“Root formation is also enhanced, which helps the plant’s vigour and colour when rainfall is less frequent.”
Suppressed Poa Annua seeding
“Poa Annua seeding is suppressed which means less poa seeds germinating and establishing in the sward,” he adds.
Christian believes that the fast-acting nature of Attraxor is essential in a busy environment like Cheltenham College. His limited spraying windows and the constant use of the field requires a product that delivers quick and reliable results.
Christian’s experience with Attraxor at Cheltenham College highlights the product's efficacy and the importance of expert guidance from Agrovista Amenity. By integrating Attraxor into his turf management routine, Christian continues to maintain the high standards of the college’s grounds.
