Hydroponics And Indoor Gardening GlossaryScan through the Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening Glossary to help find definitions of hydroponics and indoor gardening words that that you don't understand.
ACID – an acidic solution has a pH below 7 AERATION – directly supplying roots and grow mediums with air or oxygen. Sometimes created by an air pump connected to an air stone that sits in the bottom of a hydroponics reservoir. Aeration is one of the chief components of hydroponics. ALGAE – any of various chiefly aquatic, eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms, ranging in size from single-celled forms to the giant kelp. In hydroponics, algae grows on the inside of reservoirs, pumps, tubing, connectors, especially when those areas are exposed to light. Light is what causes algae to grow. It is messy to deal with but not a hazard to your plants. ALKALINE – a term describing a grow medium or nutrient solution with a high pH (over 7) AMPERE (AMP) – this is the unit used to measure strength of an electric current. Understanding how ampere's work and how much you need to supply your indoor garden is crucial to staying safe and not overloading your electrical circuits. Click here for more information on electrical safety.
BACTERIA – any of the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes, which vary in terms of morphology, oxygen and nutritional requirements, and motility, and may be free-living, saprophytic, or pathogenic in plants or animals BALLAST – a device used to regulate flow of electricity to match the needs of a specific bulb. Ballasts are one of the main components of an indoor gardening lighting system. Ballasts are sold separate from the light bulbs and reflectors that comprise an HID lighting system. Ballasts come in a range of sizes built to control 150 watt, 175 watt, 250 watt, 400 watt, 600 watt, 1000 watt, and 1500 watt light bulbs. Click here to learn more about ballasts and HID lighting systems. BLOOM – (1) the flower of a plant (2) the action of a plant’s flower reaching maturity BLOSSOM BOOSTER – a fertilizer with a high phosphorous rating which increases flower yield. Bloom boosters are used by growers seeking to maximize fruiting sites and increase yields. BOLT – a plant which has gone to seed prematurely BUD – a small protuberance on a stem or branch, sometimes enclosed in protective scales and containing an undeveloped shoot, leaf, or flower BURN – leaf tips which turn noticeably dark from excess fertilizers or salts
CANOPY – the uppermost reaches of your crop; those leaves most readily available to the light source CAPILLARY ACTION - is the ability of a liquid nutrient solution to flow against gravity and rise to the root zone of a hydroponics growing bed via nylon rope. CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) – a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas in the air necessary for plant life. It occurs naturally in the atmosphere at .03%. However, indoors we use analog and digital CO2 controllers to control the amount of CO2 released into our indoor garden environments. CO2 is delivered from propane powered CO2 generators or from 20 pound to 50 pound CO2 tanks. CELL DIVISION – The process by which a cell divides to form two daughter cells. Upon completion of the process, each daughter cell contains the same genetic material as the original cell and roughly half of its cytoplasm CHITIN – a tough, protective, semitransparent substance, primarily a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide, forming the principal component of arthropod exoskeletons and the cell walls of certain fungi CHLOROSIS – a sick plant displaying yellowing leaves due to a sub standard chlorophyll process; commonly caused by nutrient deficiency or imbalanced pH CLONE – a plant which has been produced through asexual reproduction (i.e. – cuttings, layerings, and tissue culture) Click here to learn how to take a clone. CONDITIONING – the method used to bring an inert growing medium to optimum pH levels, such as soaking new rockwool in an acidic solution to lower the pH from 8.0 to 5.5 COTYLEDON – a leaf of the embryo of a seed plant, which upon germination either remains in the seed or emerges, enlarges, and becomes green. Also called seed leaf CULTIVATION – the act of processing the fruit of a mature plant CYTOKININ – any of a class of plant hormones that promote cell division and growth and delay the senescence of leaves
DAMPING OFF FUNGUS – disease which attacks young seedlings and cuttings causing them to rot at the base. This is generally caused by over watering. DISSOLVED SOLIDS – the amount of dissolved solids, usually fertilizer salts, that are measured in parts per million DRIP SYSTEM – an efficient water delivery system which employs a plumbed main hose filtering nutrient through various drip emitters, one drop at a time. Click here to learn more about drip hydroponic systems.
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY – the ability of a solution to carry electrical energy as a result of the elements and compounds in the solution
FERTILIZER – see nutrient FLOOD TABLE – a large flat, walled basin used to hold and support grow medium and plants. Nutrient is then flooded into the basin at regular intervals FOLIAR FEEDING – using a mister or spray bottle to deliver fertilizer solution directly to the foliage FUNGICIDE – a product which destroys or inhibits fungus FUNGUS GNATS – minute, blackish, gregarious flies destructive to mushrooms and seedlings
GERMINATION – the process of causing the initiation of a plant from seed GRAFTING –uniting (a shoot or bud) with a growing plant by insertion or by placing in close contact GROW MEDIA / MEDIUM – the material used to support a plant’s root system and store nutrient solution in a hydroponic garden GUANO – a substance composed chiefly of the dung of sea birds or bats, accumulated along certain coastal areas or in caves and used as fertilizer
HALOGEN – any of the elements chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine existing in a free state. Halogens are in the arc tube of a halide lamp HARDEN OFF – to gradually acclimatize a plant to a harsher environment. A seedling must be hardened off before planting outdoors HID – High Intensity Discharge. This generally applies to the light bulbs used in hydroponic gardens HOOD – the reflective cover of an HID lamp HOR – abbreviation for Horizontal. This is commonly stamped on some HID bulbs to provide instructions as to how they should be mounted HORMONE – chemical substance that controls the growth and development of a plant HUMIDITY – wetness in the atmosphere HUMUS – a brown or black organic substance consisting of partially or wholly decayed vegetable or animal matter that provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water HYBRID – an offspring created by combining two plants of different breeds, variety or genetic make-up HYDRATED LIME – instantly soluble lime, used to raise or lower pH HYDROPONICS – cultivation of plants in nutrient solution rather than in soil. Click here to learn about different types of hydroponic systems HYDROTON - an expanded clay medium used in hydroponics systems to support plants in containers HYGROMETER – instrument used to measure the relative humidity in the atmosphere
INTENSITY – the magnitude of light energy per unit. Intensity diminishes as light travels away from the source
KILOWATT-HOUR – the measure of electricity used per hour. Ex: a 1000 watt HID uses one kilowatt per hour
LEAF CURL – leaf malformation indicative of over watering, over-fertilizing, lack of magnesium, insect damage, fungus damage or negative tropism LIGHT CYCLE – see PHOTOPERIOD LIGHT METER – a device used to calculate and measure the effective light in a tested area LIGHT MOVER – an apparatus designed to simulate a natural horizon by slowly changing the position of a lamp and its influence LUMEN – measurement of light output. One lumen is equal to the amount of light emitted by one candle that falls on one square foot of surface located one foot away from the candle Click here to learn how lumen ratings affect the HID light bulbs you need for your indoor garden.
MACRO-NUTRIENT – one or all of the primary nutrients N-P-K or the secondary nutrients magnesium and calcium MICRO-NUTRIENT – also referred to as trace elements, which includes the minerals S, Fe, Mn B, Mb, An and Cu MICROBIAL – a minute life form; a microorganism, especially a bacterium that causes disease MODULAR HYDROPONICS – the method of growing plants hydroponically in which each individual plant has its own contained grow medium and structure MONOCHROMATIC – producing only one colour
NEMATODE – unsegmented worms with elongated rounded bodies pointed at both ends; mostly free-living but some are parasitic NFT – Nutrient Film Technique. Nutrient is fed into grow tubes where the roots draw it up. A thin film of nutrient allows the roots to have constant contact with the nutrient and the air layer above at the same time Click here to learn about NFT hydroponic systems. NITROGEN (N) – a nonmetallic element that constitutes nearly four-fifths of the air by volume, occurring as a colorless, odorless, almost inert diatomic gas, N2, in various minerals and in all proteins and used in a wide variety of important manufactures, including ammonia, nitric acid, TNT, and fertilizers. Atomic number 7; atomic weight 14.0067; melting point -209.86°C; boiling point -195.8°C; valence 3, 5 NUTRIENTS – plant food, essential elements N-P-K, secondary elements and trace elements which are fundamental to sustaining plant life Click here to learn about hydroponic nutrient systems. NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES – low and improper levels of nutrient being supplied to a plant
ORGANIC – of, marked by, or involving the use of fertilizers or pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin
pH – a scale from 1 to 14 that measures acid to alkaline balance.
PARABOLIC REFLECTOR – a concave reflector with a series of honeycombed panels used to reflect light PERLITE – (1) a sand or volcanic glass, expanded by heat, which holds water and nutrients on its many irregular surfaces (2) mineral soil amendment PHOSPHOROUS (P) – of, relating to, or containing phosphorus, especially with valence 3 or a valence lower than that of a comparable phosphoric compound PHOTOPERIOD – the relationship between the length of light and dark in a 24 hour period PHOTOSYNTHESIS – the process by which plants use light energy to collect carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it to chemical energy in the form of sugar POLLINATION – the transfer of pollen from a stamen to a pistil. This process is often enhanced by environmental manipulation, plant movement through shaking or vibration or the introduction of bees into the growing area POLYPLOID – an organism with more than two sets of chromosomes POTASSIUM (K) – a soft, silver-white, highly or explosively reactive metallic element that occurs in nature only in compounds. It is obtained by electrolysis of its common hydroxide and found in, or converted to, a wide variety of salts used especially in fertilizers and soaps. Atomic number 19; atomic weight 39.098; melting point 63.65°C; boiling point 774°C; specific gravity 0.862; valence 1 PREDATORY INSECT – any variety of insect introduced into a grow area used to combat pests or detrimental infestations PROPOGATE – (1) Sexual – to produce a seed by breeding different male and female flowers (2) Asexual – to produce a plant by taking cuttings PRUNING – to cut off or remove dead or living parts or branches of a plant to improve shape or growth PYRETHRUM – natural insecticide made from the blossoms of various chrysanthemums
REFLECTOR – the highly reflective, smooth finished hood placed above a lamp to more efficiently direct its light. Click here to learn about the different types of reflectors for your lighting system. RESERVOIR (or RES) – any container of a variety of constructions which holds water in reserve for use REVERSE OSMOSIS (R/O) – water which has had all of its contaminates and salts removed ROCKWOOL - an inert material consisting of thin strand-like fibers similar to insulation and made from spun rock. It is used as a soil less growing medium in hydroponics and comes in tiny cubes, small cubes, 3inch to 8 inch blocks, and 3 foot slabs.
SECONDARY NUTRIENTS – Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) SEEDLING – a young plant that is grown from a seed SHORE FLY – any of numerous minute black flies of the family Ephydridae, living in damp or marshy places SOILLESS - a type of hydroponic growing medium made of inert materials such as perlite, vermiculite and sand. Soilless mediums have excellent water retention properties and allow plenty of air to reach the root zone. SPIDER MITE – any of various small red mites of the family Tetranychidae that feed on vegetation, causing damage to the leaves Click here to learn about spider mites and other pests that can affect your indoor garden. STIMULATOR – any product used to specifically increase one designated area of a plant’s growth cycle STRESS – the effect a plant faces when it is subjected to a detrimental environment SYSTEMIC – a term used in reference to a disease within the plant tissue, not initiated from the external cells. This also refers to materials and compounds which are taken up or absorbed by the plant and designed to fight disease
THRIPS – any of various minute insects of the order Thysanoptera, having usually four narrow wings fringed with hairs, and many of which are major pests of various plants and trees TRACE ELEMENT – a chemical element required in minute quantities by an organism to maintain proper physical functioning
UNIFORM GROWTH – ensuring the entirety of the crop receives equal environmental stimulation resulting in equal growth of all plants
VERMICULITE – mica processed and expanded by heat
WETTING AGENT – compound that reduces the droplet size and lowers the surface tension of the water, making it wetter WHITEFLY – any of various small whitish homopterous insects of the family Aleyrodidae, having long wings and a white waxy body, often injurious to plants WICK – part of a passive hydroponic system using a wick suspended in the nutrient solution; the nutrients pass up the wick and are absorbed by the medium and roots WORM CASTINGS – the nutrient rich fertilizer created by earthworms
Psalm 96:11-12 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Return from the Glossary to the Home Page |