Timely question- Kathy Millatt just did a review of several brands of static grass-  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/29122

Lou

There is a ton of choices here, Jim...http://www.sceneryexpress.com/departments.asp?dept=1032

-bill

I used Silflor static grasses 5mm. I think from memory

I bought all bulk packages of static grass directly from Scenic Express' website. I got a ton of it for not too much money. It comes in huge Ziplocs. I think they re-package Noch grass.

2MM BULK LATE SUMMER STATIC FLOCK 1 LB. 
Item: EX8923   Price: $24.98

My $65 WWS ProGrass Micro applicator (purchased from the UK on eBay) is the exact same unit Kathy uses in her latest demo video, just with a different company's sticker on it. Here's a re-post from my scenery thread:

At only $65 plus $16 shipping from the UK to the states, WWS' Pro Grass Micro seemed a pretty good deal (find it on eBay or at WWS' site). I've only tested it with 2mm grass, but so far it seems to work pretty good. Note that there are two different models: the regular Pro Grass applicator, and the new Pro Grass Micro. The only difference is the the size of the grass hoppers—electrically, they're identical. I chose the Micro, and for me, the size seems just right. While the unit seems to perform well, note that the metal screen on the front of the hopper doesn't not conduct any electrical current.

WWS' Pro Grass applicator was positively reviewed by a British model railroading magazine, and appears to perform well on up to 6mm static grass. Here's an independent video review of the Pro Grass Micro here. Here's WWS' how-to video demo here using 6mm grass. The manufacturer claims it puts out 16,000-20,000VDC from its 9-volt battery—almost as much as the Heki XL (22,000VDC) for a lot less money, and far more portable. I'll give it a more thorough review after I receive my 6mm static-grass order.

I google searched Scenic Express before starting this topic but I came up with a different batch of static grass that was double the price - Stilfor I think.  Your link showed a cheaper version.  Thanks.

Scenic Express sells various brands.

Pay attention to length as well as color.  2mm is very easy to apply but it gives a groomed lawn look.  6mm is more difficult to work with, and 10-12mm is harder yet, but results look a whole lot more like wild growth.  I mostly use Noch 2mm-6mm blend but I am modeling eastern mountains.  Since you are modeling desert environment I think you will want the longer grasses, at least 6mm, in very muted colors.  Suggest you order a few from SE and see what you like.

Multiple colors, sizes and some Woodland Scenic 2mm Honey mixed in.

Re: longer grass harder to work with - I'm guessing the longer stuff may work better if the ground is metal.  I was watching a video on making static grass and the presenter used a flat sheet of metal to make static grass tufts on blobs of white glue.  He was using longer grass with some shorter added in and it took 3 or 4 passes to get best results - he was using a sieve/strainer type applicator very similar to the one I am building for cheap using the fly swatter handle as the basis.  Maybe because the sheet metal was used as the ground, there was a stronger static field which makes longer grass work better.  There was a layer of wax paper used to make the tufts and then after the glue had dried, they could be pealed off and applied the the layout.

The WWSPrograss looks good so if for some reason the home built isn't doing the job, I'll consider that as a backup option.  But if I can get one to work for under $10, then I can use the $70 I save on materials or other stuff.

My experience- its not lack of static that makes the longer stuff harder to work with.  It just tends to mat up in the applicator mesh.  And it seems like too much static or getting too close to the layout surface can actually promote this.  The shorter lengths fall through the mesh easily and it doesn't mat up so much.  But that doesn't stop me from using longer lengths.

I am using a Scooter Stick that I bought several years ago and it throws a serious spark so the grass always stands up nicely.  I haven't tried anything else so can't comment on what applicators work best.

I've tried making tufts on white glue on a cookie sheet.  It works pretty good.