Copy of `Parker County Master Gardener Association`

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Parker County Master Gardener Association Category: Agriculture and Industry > Herbiculture Date & country: 27/01/2014, USA Words: 444

Spathe
A bract surrounding an inflorescence.

Species
This is a group of plants that have common characteristics. It is a basic unit of plant classification.

Soil Tests (Soil Sampling)
Soil tests can be used to estimate the kinds and amounts of soil nutrients usable to plants. They also can be used on determining the right amount of fertilizer needed. Properly conducted soil sampling, and testing, can be cost-effective indicators of the types and amounts of fertilizer needed to improve crop yields.

Solarization
The process by which one can sterilize the soil by the sun. Cultivate the area to be isolated, water well and then cover with 2 - 4-mil of clear plastic.

Soil Polymers
Super absorbent polymers that have been around for a while, that can be added to retain moisture in containers. It will absorb many times over its weight in water. Use sparingly.

Soil
The upper layer of earth that may be dug, plowed, etc. The loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow.

Silt
Finely grained sediment suspended in, or deposited by, water.

Single Flower
A flower having only a minimum number of petals for that variety of plant.

Slow-Release Fertilizer
Long-lasting fertilizer that is water insoluble and therefore releases its nutrients gradually as a function of soil temperature, moisture, and related microbial activity. Typically granular, it may be organic or synthetic.

Softwood
Stems that have not yet become hard or woody.

Sheath
The basal portion of the grass leaf between the crown and the blade. The sheath margins may be split, split with overlapping margins or be closed.

Sheet Composting
A method of piling un-decomposed organic materials over the soil and waiting for decomposition. At times, working it into the soil.

Shrub
A woody plant with a framework of branches and little or no central stem. Note: Compare to a tree.

Sieve
A garden sieve is a frame with a mesh bottom. Mainly used for separating compost but sometimes used in very stony gardens. Homemade ones can be made out of two x fours, 2

Shade (Sunlight Requirement)
Less than three hours of full sun or dappled shade a day. Early morning sun is usually best for this requirement in our area. Be very careful because in our area, shade-loving plants can scorch even in early morning sun.

Shearing
The pruning technique whereby plant stems and branches are cut uniformly with long, bladed pruning shears (hedge shears) or powered hedge trimmers. It is used when creating and maintaining formal hedges and topiary.

Sheath
An organ that wholly or partly encloses another organ, at its base.

Set
To plant.

Sexual Plants Parts
The reproductive parts of a plant. Sexual reproductive parts are those involved in the production of seed. These include flowers, fruit, flower buds and seeds.

Self-Colored
A flower that bears a single color throughout.

Self-Seeded
(Self Sowing)

Semi-Double
A halfway point between a single bloom and a double one. In most cases there are two rows of petals.

Sepals
The part that compose the calyx or outer ring of organs of a mature flower.

Set
A young bulb, tuber or other propagation ready for planting.

Scion
A short length of stem, taken from one plant that is then grafted onto the rootstock of another plant.

Seed
The reproductive unit of a flowering plant.

Seed Drill
A shallow trench where seed is sown or an implement for making seed drills.

Seed Head
Dried, inedible fruit that contains seeds.

Scaffold Branches
The main branches of a tree.

Scales
The fleshy modified leaves that make up a bulb.

Scape
A leafless flower stem that will grow directly from the base of the stem very common in bulbs.

Scarify
To scratch or break the hard coat of some seeds, so they will root easily. Fine sandpaper can be used or just soaking some seeds will do the trick.

Scientific Name
The internationally recognized Latin name of a plant that is descriptive of the feature of the plant or will commemorate a person connected with it. The name of the species will consist of two parts, the genus name and the species name. This was first started in 1753 by a Swedish botanist, Linnaeus.

Scooping
(De-eyeing)

Row Covers
Any type of semitransparent materials used to cover plants, trap heat, enhance growth and provide protection from frost or winds. Usually made from polypropylene or polyester. Commercial growers sometimes use this method, too

Runner
A creeping stem that produces small plantlets along its length. Sometimes called a stolen.

Sapwood
The more recently formed wood of a dicotyledonous tree.

Rotenone
Material used by some organic gardeners. It is derived from the roots of tropical legumes. It does break down in sunlight and the side effect is that it can be toxic to good and bad insects. It is also toxic to fish so use extreme care about run off water when using.

Rotate
To change the location each year (usually in a 3 to 4 year cycle) in which a particular vegetable crop is grown, to reduce the threat from soil-borne diseases.

Rosette
Cluster of leaves crowded on a stem and spreading in all directions.

Rootstock
The roots and stems arise from this part of the plant.

Roots
A slender stem growing out from the base of some plants, which terminates with a new offset plant. The new plant may be severed from the parent after it has developed sufficient roots.

Roots
When a tree germinates, the first (PRIMARY) root grows down in the soil in response to gravity. SECONDARY roots then branch off horizontally, with subsequent branching into TERTIARY roots, etc. Absorption of water and mineral nutrients is the function of the very fine, non-woody roots the FEEDER roots. With continued growth, each root will lose its ability for absorption. These larger WOODY roots then function as the transport system for water and nutrients from the new feeder roots to the stem. They are also the tree

Root Vascular Tissue
Located in the center of the root and conducts food and water.

Rooting Hormone
A chemical in powder or liquid form that promotes the formation of roots at the base of a cutting. Contains hormones and anti-fungus growth prohibitors.

Root Hairs
Found along the main root and perform much of the actual water nutrient absorption.

Root Pruning
This is done in two instances. One when repotting from one pot to another, roots that have grown in a circle are trimmed to promote future growth. Also, when planting into the garden or landscape, a plant that needs root trimming.

Root Cortex
These cells are involved in the movement of water from the epidermis and from food storage.

Root Epidermis
The outermost layer of cells surrounding the root. These cells are responsible for the absorption of water and minerals dissolved in water.

Root Flare
The transition at the base of a tree trunk where the bark tissue begins to differentiate and roots begin to form just before entering the soil. This area should not be covered with soil when planting a tree.

Root Bound (Pot Bound)
A condition that exists when a potted plant has outgrown its container. The roots become entangled and matted together and the growth of the plant becomes stunted. When repotting, loosen the roots on the outer edges of the root ball, to induce them to once again grow outward.

Root Cap
The outermost tip of the root and consist of cells that are sloughed off as the root grows through the soil. The meristem (the area of cell division) is behind the root cap and is protected by it.

Rockwool
This really is the state of the art rooting medium and is used in plant propagation. It is alkaline and one will have to compensate for this.

Root Ball
The network of roots along with the attached soil, of any given plant.

Rock Garden
An area constructed of larger rocks arranged to look natural. Usually landscaped with plants that generally do not need a lot of care.

Retaining Wall
A wall that has been built on a slope to keep the soil from sliding or eroding. It will stabilize the area.

Rhizome
A modified plant stem that grows horizontally, under the surface of the soil. New growth then emerges from different points of the rhizome. (Examples - irises and some lawn grasses are rhizome plants).

Rhizomorph
A root-like branched strand of fungus.

Ring Spots
Circular markings on foliage resulting from fungus, virus or other causes.

Resistant Variety
A plant variety with natural or inbred ability to suffer less damage from a particular pest or disease than other plants of its kind.

Reflexed
A petal or tepal that is bent back.

Relative Humidity
The measurement of the amount of moisture in the atmosphere.

Repotting
The transfer of a plant, bulb, etc. from its pot into one of a similar size or larger and with fresh soil.

Raised Bed
A bed with its surface above ground level and enclosed by a retaining wall of stone, brick, wood, etc.

Receptacle (of flowers)
The widened end of the stem that bears the parts of a flower.

Reed
Tall grasses that grow in shallow water.

Pruning
Cutting off leaves or branches within limits in order to remove dead or diseased foliage or branches. Also used to control or direct growth, increase quality or yield of flowers or fruit and to ensure growth of main branches to enhance structural strength. The cutting and trimming of plants to remove dead or injured wood or to control and direct the new growth of a plant.

Pseudobulb
The swollen storage organ at the base of the stem of many Orchids.

Quincunx
An arrangement of five objects, usually trees, with one at each corner of a rectangle and one at the center; this basic structure unit is often multiplied to create a larger pattern and plantations of trees in this pattern may be identified by the same term.

Potting Soil
A soil mixture designed for use in container gardens and potted plants. Potting mixes should be loose, light and sterile.

Primary Root
Originates at the lower end of the embryo of a seedling plant.

Proliferation
Multiplication of growth in excess of that which is normal.

Propagation
Various methods of starting new plants ranging from starting seeds to identical clones created by cuttings or layering.

Propagules
Buds, shoots or runners capable of being used for propagation.

Potting On
The transfer of a plant from its pot into a larger one.

Pot Bound
A plant growing in a pot that is too small to allow proper leaf and stem growth. Roots will start to grow in a circle in the pot. Repotting is necessary.

Potassium (K)
(Major Nutrient) Stunting occurs in young plants and marginal leaf tissue breaks down in older plants, marginal leaf spotting may occur, severely affected plants have a dull green color and flowering level is reduced when there is potassium deficiency.

Pollination
The transfer of pollen from the stamen (male part of the flower), to the pistil (female part of the flower), that results in the formation of a seed. Hybrids are created when the pollen from one kind of plant is used to pollinate an entirely different variety, resulting in a new plant altogether.

Polychromatic Garden
A garden of flowers in mixed colors; a multicolored garden.

Polyethylene
A plastic that permits the passage through it of air and other gases but not of moisture.

Pomology
(from Latin pomum (fruit) + -logy) is a branch of botany that studies and cultivates fruits. The pomological researches are mainly focused on the development of and the cultural techniques and physiological studies in fruit trees. The goals of fruit tree improvement include enhancement of fruit quality, regulation of production periods, and reduction of production cost.

Platyhelminthes
Insects, spiders, crayfish, millipedes.

Plug
A small but well-rooted seedling raised in a cellular tray for covering large areas as in groundcovers or lawns.

Plunging
The insertion of a planted-up container into a trench in winter and then covering with peat or sand.

Pocket Gardens
A small growing area planted with miniature and dwarf varieties.

Pollen
The yellow dust produced by the anthers, the male element that fertilized the ovule.

Plant Out
To transplant from a container, or from indoors, into the garden.

Pistil
The seed-bearing organ of a flower, consisting of the ovary, stigma and style.

Pinnate
Leaf veins extend laterally from the midrib to the edge.

Photoperiodism
The response of plants to the length of a day and night (examples: poinsettias, cactus, night blooming flowers).

Photosynthesis
The internal process by which a plant turns sunlight into growing energy. The formation of carbohydrates in plants from water and carbon dioxide, by the action of sunlight on the chlorophyll within the leaves.

Pinching 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.

Petal
One of the divisions of the corolla

Petaloid
Term applied to organs that assume the form of petals (examples - stamens in double flowers).

Petiole
Leaf stem.

Phloem
A complex tissue in higher plants. These serve for the conduction of food materials throughout the plant.

Phosphorus (P)
(Major Nutrient) Dark green foliage with stunted growth occurs, root development is slowed, a purplish color may appear on leaves and especially on veins, flowering is reduced and maturity is delayed when there is phosphorus deficiency.

Permanent Planting
Establishing a group of bulbs in bed or border and then letting the bulbs grow and increase without disturbance for at least several years.

Pest
Any insect or animal that is detrimental to the health and well being of plants or other animals.

Perianth
The sheath that holds both petals and sepals of a flower.