Aeration
A condition where plenty of oxygen is present
Algal
A plantlike microorganism which grows where there is plenty of water and some light
Callus
Mass of cells that forms at the bottom of the cut end of a stem which then starts growing roots
Cation
An ion in the root environment which has a positive charge
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
a measure of the ability of the growing medium to adsorb exchangeable cations which are available to the plant and will resist the leaching nutrients during watering.
Cloning
The asexual propagation of a plant. Cuttings or grafts are taken from a mother plant to reproduce a plant identical to the mother plant.
Decisiemens per meter (dS/m)
A unit of measure for EC.
Drip Irrigation
A method of watering plants where water is applied slowly as it drops on to the growth medium.
Ebb and Flow Hydroponics
A hydration system which works by flooding the media containing the plant roots. The media sits in a reservoir of water and nutrient supply for a specified period of time. The water and nutrient supply is then drained. Draining allows the roots to access needed oxygen for maximum growth.
Effluent
Liquid/solution that flows out of a media.
Electric Conductivity (EC)
A measure of the electrical resistance of a nutrient solution or media, used to determine the level of ions.
Etiolation
The process of growing the plant in total darkness for a period of time.
Floating Hydroponic Systems
Where plants grow and complete their life cycle on top of water with nutrients.
Fungal
Disease-causing microorganism.
Germinate
A process where seeds start growing by producing leaves and roots.
Hydroponic
A method of growing plants using water and nutrient supply only for root development. Roots are not housed in soil or any type of soilless media.
Inert
Having no chemical or biological action or value.
Leach Out
Using water to wash out salts and other material from the growth media. Leaching is also used to adjust pH, EC, and CEC to desirable levels.
Leachate
Solution which drains from the growing media.
NFT Hydroponic Systems
A technique for growing plants hydroponically in which the plant roots are suspended in a slow- moving stream of nutrient solution.
Parthenocarpic
A plant which can produce fruits without pollination.
pH
The negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration to the base 10. It is a value between 1 and 14.
ppm
Parts per million.
Propagation
The process of Multiplying plants either by sexual or asexual manner. Sexual propagation of plants uses seed to reproduce the plant. Asexual propagation uses a graft or cutting to reproduce plants. Asexual reproduction produces plants which are identical to the mother plant.Asexual propogation is also known as cloning.
Recycled and Reusable Watering Systems
Where water is collected, stored ,cleaned and recirculated in order to water plants.
Soilless Media
Any plant-growing media other than soil.
Sterile
Clean, free from any kind of microorganisms.
Sub Irrigation Systems
A method of supplying water to plant roots by its introduction under plant roots.
Vermiculite
A growing medium which has aluminum-iron-magnesium silicate. Is light weighted and has high porosity.
