Whether you are just starting out or have been growing for decades, this field is full of acronyms and jargon. We’re here to help! Here’s a glossary of some of the most commonly used terms and acronyms. Have a question about something not on this list? Just reach out and we will get you the answers you need!
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| Glossary Of Grower & Gardening Terms |
| Term | What Is It? | Why Do I Care? |
| Acidic | On a pH scale, your growth medium is acidic or "sour" if it has a pH level of less than 7 | If your growth medium is too acidic, it will decrease the availability of plant nutrients |
| Alkaline | Alkalinity measures the acid in a substance. pH measures that amount. A substance is alkaline (or basic) if it has a pH of over 7 | If pH is too high, nutrients will not dissolve as well and will not be absorbed properly, so you'll see deficiencies |
| Aquaponics | System of aquaculture that uses aquatic animals to provide nutrients for plant growth. Plants then purify the water | This may be a great option for you if you're looking to reduce water consumption and grow in a natural ecosystem without pesticides and fertilizers |
| Cloning | The process of creating a new plant that's genetically identical to the first unit | Cloning will save time and space in your garden, but there's a risk of bad genetics if you're getting external clones. Additionally, they may have a less robust root system than a plant grown from seed. |
| CO2 | Carbon dioxide | Higher concentrations of carbon dioxide make plants more productive - they can produce more food and grow more quickly |
| Coco coir | Coco coir is a coconut fiber husk alternative to traditional soil | Coco coir can hold a high water capacity but allows for more air flow than other options. You can feed your plants more often and grow them larger in coco |
| Drip Irrigation | A system of crop irrigation involving controlled delivery of water directly to plant roots | Drip is the most efficient water and nutrient delivery system for growing plants |
| Electrical Conductivity (EC) | Conductivity measures the amount of salts in your growing medium | Excess salts occur naturally in more arid climates and can hinder or halt plant growth |
| Fermentation | A chemical process in horticulture that releases enzymes and probiotics | All fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs are natural hosts to bacteria. Fermentation encourages beneficial bacteria to participate in the preservation process of those fresh plants. |
| Foliar Spray | System to apply fertilizer directly to plant leaves rather than adding to the soil | Foliar spray isn't a replacement for good soil, but it will get to work much quicker than through the soil via plant root and stems. It is often used if you are having issues with nutrient lock out or as a secondary means for feeding |
| Hydroponics | The process of growing plants in sand, gravel, coco coir or liquid - with added nutrients, but without soil | Hydroponics means more than water - there are many ways to grow outside of traditional soil |
| MacroNutrient | Plant nutrients required in the largest amounts - carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous & potassium | Anything that you're growing will need these nutrients! |
| MicroNutrient | Plant nutrients required in tiny amounts - boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc | Anything that you're growing will need these nutrients! |
| N-P-K Label | Measurements in a nutrient that indicate the amount of Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) | These are the three macro nutrients used by ALL plants for photosynthesis |
| Nutrient | Chemical elements and compounds necessary for plant growth. | Without them, the plant cannot complete it's life cycle. Too much of a nutrient can harm or even kill plants |
| Pesticide | A substance used to destroy insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants | Pests damage plant growth and leave them open to disease, but pesticides are also dangerous to humans. If you're using pesticides in your gardening, make sure that you are protecting yourself from them and cleaning all plants thoroughly |
| pH | pH (potential of hydrogen) s a measurement scale of hydrogen ions that describes something as acidic or alkaline | pH is important because it affects the availability of nutrients to your plants. At a soil pH of 6.5, the highest number of nutrients are available for plant use. |
| PPM | Parts per million - the concentration of any particles in a solution | Knowing the PPM lets you know if your nutrients are on track or not and will help you avoid over or underfeeding your plants |
| Propagation | The process of creating new plants | Plant cells are "totipotent" or "totally potent." That means that every cell can reproduct more cells and grow into a new plant. Cool, right? |
| Scrog Net | Scrog (screen of green) is a process to guide plants to grow vertically | If you're growing in a tent or another small space, a scrog tent can help you maximize that vertical space |
| Secondary Nutrient | Plant nutrients needed in moderate amounts - calcium, magnesium, sulphur |
Anything that you're growing will need these nutrients! |
| Soluble | Soluble refers to the ability of a substance to be dissolved, generally in water |
Plant roots can only absorb nutrients that are dissolved - they can't take in solid nutrients. That makes the ability of those nutrients to be absorbed very important. |
| Terpenes | Compounds responsible for the way plants smell and taste |
Some terpenes play a protective role in the plant while others act as part of the plant's immune system. Terpenes can have specific benefits in a human body as well. Here is a link to our newest blog on our sister site: https://www.greenwellnesslife.com/what-is-a-terpene/ |