|
CALCITIC LIMESTONE -- A common material used for 'liming'
soil that has an acid level that is too high. This type is most commonly used
and contains calcium carbonate.
CALICHE -- A soil condition found in some areas of the arid
Southwest, or as the result of synthetic fertilizers, caliche is a deposit of
calcium carbonate (lime) beneath the soil surface. This condition is more
commonly called 'hardpan' and creates an impervious layer in lower levels of
soil.
CALYX -- The outer ring of flower parts, usually green but
sometimes coloured.
CAPILLARY ACTION -- The natural upward movement of water in
confined areas, such as the spaces between soil particles.
CARBOY -- A large and heavy glass vessel, originally
designed for the storage of chemicals but now commonly used as a container for
bottle gardens.
CARNIVOROUS -- Used in the gardening world to denote a plant
(usually tropical) that typically lives in highly acidic soil that doesn't
adequately provide enough nourishment. Nature has adapted these plants to trap
and consume insects for this need. An example is the Venus Flytrap plant.
CHLOROSIS -- An abnormal yellowing or blanching of the
leaves due to lack of chlorophyll.
CLADODE -- A modified stem which has taken on the form of a
leaf; e.g the needlelike "leaves" of Asparagus Fern.
COLOURED LEAF -- Leaves with one or more colours apart from
green, white or cream are distinctly present.
COMPOST -- Usual meaning for the house plant grower is a
potting or seed/cutting mixture made from peat ("soilless compost") or
sterilized soil ("loam compost") plus other materials such as sand,
lime and fertilizer. Compost is also a term for decomposed organic matter such
is what's left after a compost heap has degraded vegetable and animal matter. An
excellent source of organic material for rebuilding and enriching soil.
COMPOST HEAP / COMPOSTING -- The result and act of combining
organic materials under controlled conditions so that the original raw
ingredients are transformed by decay and degradation into humus (or compost).
COMPOUND FLOWER -- A flower made up of many florets, e.g
Chrysanthemum.
COMPOUND LEAF -- A leaf made up or two or more leaflets
attached to the leaf stalk; e.g Schefflera.
CONSERVATORY -- A structure composed partly or entirely of
glass. attached to the house and within which a large number of plants are grown
and enjoyed.
CORM -- A swollen, underground stem base used for
propagation; e.g Crocus.
COROLLA -- The ring of separate or fused petals which is
nearly always responsible for the main floral display.
COVER CROP -- A crop grown to protect and enrich the soil or
to control weeds.
CRESTED -- Cockscomb-like growth of leaves, stems or
flowers. Other name -- cristate.
CROCK -- A piece of broken pot used to help drainage. Almost
always referring to clay or ceramic pieces.
CROWN -- The region where shoot and root join, usually at or
very near ground level.
CULTIVAR -- Used when determining plant names. Indicates the
variety originated in cultivation and not the wild. This portion of a plants
name is usually not Latin.
CUTTING -- A piece of a plant (leaf, stem or root) which can
be used to produce a new plant.
CYME -- A flat-topped or domed flower head in which the
flowers at the center open first.
|
