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ACID MEDIUM -- A compost which contains little or no lime
and has a pH of less than 6.5. Sometimes referred to as "sour" soil by
gardeners.
AERATION -- The loosening of soil by digging or other
mechanical means to allow air to pass freely.
AERIAL ROOT -- A root which grows out from the stem above
ground level. Aerial roots are commonly seen on mature specimens of Monstera
deliciosa.
AEROBIC -- Usually used for describing a characteristic of
compost heaps. Describes organisms living or occurring only in the presence of
oxygen.
AIR LAYERING-- A method of propagating single-stem plants,
such as Ficus elastica decora, which have lost their lower leaves and become
leggy. An incision is made to a portion of outer stem layer, damp sphagnum moss
is wrapped in a bag around it until roots develop. Then it is cut and replanted
with its shorter stem size.
ALKALINE SOIL -- Soil that has a pH level of about 7.0 or
more. Sometimes referred to as "sweet" soil by gardeners.
ALTERNATE -- Leaf form, where the leaves are arranged singly
at different heights on the stem. Compare opposite and whorled.
ANAEROBIC -- Describes organisms living or occurring when
oxygen is absent. Usually term used when talking about compost heaps.
ANNUAL -- A plant which completes its life cycle within one
year of germination. Compare biennial and perennial.
ANTHER -- The part of the flower which produces pollen. It
is the upper section of the stamen.
APICAL -- At the tip of a branch.
AQUATIC -- Plant which grows partially or completely in
water.
AREOLE -- A small well-defined area, usually hairy and
cushion-like, found on the stem of cacti. From them arise spinesorglochids.
ASEXUAL -- Vegetative reproductions - e.r. cuttings and
division.
AWL-SHAPED -- A narrow leaf which tapers to a stiff point.
AXIL -- The angle between the upper surface of a leaf or
leaf stalk and the stem that carries it. A growth or flower bud ("axillary
bud") often appears in the axil.
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