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Glossary of Gardening and GYO Terms

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Info.:
Purpose of this thread : My goal in starting this thread is to build a Glossary for useful terms which you will find recurring in any or all of the other forums.  Not quite Wikipedia but I'm sure you get the general idea.
term : definition

For example,
sweet potato: TP : a plant grown for its edible tubers  [note that TP (tender perennial) describes the plant under typical UK growing conditions.]

Please let a mod know if you would like us to add to the glossary.

Info.:
air layering : a propagation technique whereby compost is held in place above ground level on a suitable part of the parent plant.  Typically polythene and/or tape is used to hold a ball of compost in place until new roots are formed

allium : a family of plants which includes onion, shallot, garlic, chives and leek

allotment : a plot of land, usually rented or leased for the purpose of growing fruit and / or vegetables.  Historically, allotments were provided by farms/estates for their workers to grow food for their families.  The practice spread into towns and cities as the workforce migrated into urban settlements. See Clearing a New One

annual : a plant which requires to be planted from seed (or self-seeds) every year.  Compare biennial and perennial

Asteraceae: See Compositae .

Info.:
basal cuttings : a method of propagation of certain plants, e.g. dahlia, where early spring growth is rooted to form a new plant.  See http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?p=74906#74906

* fallow : a technique to control annual weeds.  Best suited to later crops.  Prepare ground well in advance in the usual way but do not plant anything.  Allow annual weeds to flush (germinate) and simply hoe them off before planting your intended crop.

bhindi : see okra

biennial : a plant which requires two growing seasons to produce crop or flower, e.g. parsley which (although it can be picked in the first year) produces flowers and seeds in the second year.  Compare annual and perennial

black spot : a widespread disease (Diplocarpon rosae) of roses affecting lower leaves and eventually causing some defoliation

blight : one of several water moulds (oomycete) which affect primarily potatoes and tomatoes.  Late Potato Blight (Phytophthora infestans) is the most serious and most prevalent but there is also an Early Potato Blight (Alternaria solani).  Both are airborne.  For prevention/control of Late Potato Blight click here

bolting : describing a plant which wants to produce seed rather than edible crop.  Typically a tall flowering spike will emerge and all of the plants energies go into this.  Unless you wish to save the seed (but see F1 hybrid), then the plant has basically fulfilled its useful role and can be removed.

Bordeaux Mixture : a mixture of copper sulphate and slaked lime used to control blight in potatoes and tomatoes.  Approved for organic use as a last resort (according to www.organiccatalog.com)

bract : name given to a leaf which is modified to give a flower, as in e.g. poinsettia and arums

brassica : a family of plants which includes cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli, kale, mustard, radish, turnip, kohl rabi, wallflower, swedes, turnips, oilseed rape

broadcast : a technique for sowing seeds whereby seed is scattered over an area of ground rather than sown in rows

bull neck : of onions : The neck is swollen which prevents them from storing well.  Caused by too much nitrogen in the soil, over feeding - especially late in the season.  Use affected bulbs imediately after harvesting.

Info.:
calomel : mercury chloride : a toxic chemical still widely used as a fungicide and insecticide.  Certainly not organic.

catch crop: a quick growing crop (e.g. radish) that is grown alongside, or between successive plantings of a main crop.

cheshunt compound : ammonium carbonate + copper sulphate : a fungicide widely used to prevent damping-off in seedlings.  Not organic.

chitting : (of potatoes) : promoting strong early growth by arranging tubers in a single layer, e.g. on a tray.  Leave in a cold place in full indirect light

chitting : (e.g. sweet corn) : pre-sprouting by placing seeds on damp kitchen towel.  Re-plant into pots or final position when sprouts appear.  Can also be done with beans and peas

cloche : any kind of (transparent) low-lying temporary shelter for use on open ground.  Traditionally a glass bell or simply panes of glass arranged in 'tent' fashion using a special clip.  Now more commonly made of polythene with wire supports / fixings.

clubroot : a persistent soil-borne fungal disease affecting all brassicas and wallflowers.

coldframe : a low, glass-covered structure to provide sheltered growing conditions.  Sides may be timber, plastic or glass.

Compositae: a major group of plants which includes lettuce, chicory, endive, globe artichoke, cardoon, jerusalem artichoke, globe artichoke, aster, dandelion.  Also known as Asteraceae.

compost : a growing medium and soil enhancer produced by the breakdown of organic matter

coriander : HA or HB : a herb (leaf) and a spice (seed) used extensively in the cuisines of many countries.  Thai cookery also uses the root. Growing instructions for leaf

cotyledon; The primary leaves of an embryo that are present in the seed. These are the very first leaves that emerge and are not true leaves but serve to nourish the new sprout.

crop rotation : See rotation

cucurbit : mostly HHA or TA : a family of plants which includes marrow, courgette, melon, squash, loofah, gerkhin, gourd and pumpkin

cuttings : a method of propagation whereby sections of the parent plant are removed for rooting to take place. Not suitable for all plants. How to: hardwood, How to: softwood

Info.:
damping down : raising the humidity in a greenhouse by watering the floors and/or staging.  Tends to lower the temperature & reduce water loss from plants

damping-off : death of seedlings due to overly wet, crowded or poorly ventilated conditions

deadheading : manual removal of any spent, faded, withered or discoloured flowers from roses, shrubs, etc. over the flowering season.  Prolongs flowering period.

deep bed: an unconstrained bed which is created by adding soil / compost to raise the ground level.  Compare raised bed.

Derris : an insecticide of plant origin & so technically organic.  It is non-poisonous to warm-blooded animals but deadly to virtually all fish and insects (including beneficial ones).

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