Acid Soil |
Soil that is lower
than 7.0 ph |
Alkaline Soil |
Soil that has a pH
level of about 7.0 or more. Sometimes referred to as
"sweet" soil. |
Annual |
A plant that will complete its life cycle in one growing season. |
B & B |
Abbreviation for "Balled and Burlapped". Plants
that are dug with a ball of soil around the roots, which is then
wrapped with burlap or other material. |
Bare rooted |
Plants that are dug
and handled with little or no soil on their roots. The plants are
stored so the roots are kept moist and the tops dormant. |
Biennial |
A plant that usually only lives two years, normally producing
flowers and seed the second year. |
Bolt |
The tendency of cool-season plants to grow rapidly and produce
seeds when exposed to warm temperatures. |
Compost |
Decomposed organic
matter. |
Dead Head |
Verb. The process of pinching off used or spent blooms to keep the
plants well groomed and to prevent them from setting seed. This
will promote continued bloom. |
Desiccation |
Drying out of plant
tissue. |
Dividing |
The process of splitting up plants, roots and all that have began
to get bound together. This will make several plants from one
plant, and usually should be done to mature perennials every 3 to
4 years. |
Harden Off |
The process of gradually acclimatizing greenhouse or indoor grown
plants to outdoor growing conditions. |
Hardiness Zone |
Indicates the average
annual minimum temperatures and are used to show the geographic
limits of cold hardiness. The zones are broken into 10 degree
intervals, with each zone split into an `a' (north) and `b'
(south) subzone based upon 5 degree intervals. |
Leaf Mold |
Partially decomposed leaf matter, used as a soil amendment. |
Meristem |
A small group of cells
that retain the capacity for rapid cell division (growth).
The main meristematic areas within the plant are the apical
meristems of the terminal and lateral shoots, the vascular
cambium, the root apex, and the marginal meristems (active during
the growth of leaves). |
Microclimate |
Variations of the climate within a given area, usually influenced
by hills, hollows, structures or proximity to bodies of water.
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Mulch |
Noun. Any loose
material placed over the soil as a protective covering or for
decorative purposes. |
Perennial |
A plant that dies down
to the ground during winter and survives to grow again each
spring. |
Perlite |
Granular volcanic
rock, used to improve the aeration in potting soil. |
pH Scale |
The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 being the point at which
soil has a neutral reaction. Numbers lower than 7 indicate
acid conditions. Those greater than 7 indicate alkaline
conditions. |
Pinch Back |
Utilizing the thumb and forefinger to nip back the very tip of a
branch or stem. Pinching promotes branching, and a bushier, fuller
plant |
Transpiration |
The release of moisture through the leaves of a plant. |
Variegated |
Leaves which are marked with multiple colors. |
Vermiculite |
A light-weight,
mineral called mica that is added to potting mixtures to improve
root growth via aeration and has moisture retaining abilities. |
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