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DAMPING OFF -- Decay of young seedlings at ground level
following fungal attack. Often the result of soil borne diseases and over
watering.
DEAD-HEADING -- The removal of faded heads of flowers.
DECAY CYCLE -- The changes that occur as plants grow, die,
and break down in the soil.
DECIDUOUS -- These are plants that loose their leaves at the
end of the growing season. Maple trees are a good example.
DIOCECIOUS -- A plant which bears either male or female
flowers. (Compare to Monoecious)
DISC (DISK) -- The flat central part of a compound flower.
It is made up of short, tubular florets.
DISTILLED WATER -- Pure water free from dissolved salts.
Formerly made by distillation, now produced chemically by demineralisation.
DIVISION -- A method of propagating plants by separating
each one into two or more sections and then repotting.
DOLOMITIC LIMESTONE -- Sometimes used when 'liming' soil
that has an acid pH level that is too high. As it contains calcium and magnesium
carbonate it should be used only with soils that are also deficient in
magnesium as well. (See also Calcitic Limestone)
DORMANT PERIOD (DORMANCY) -- The time when a plant has
naturally stopped growing and the leaves have fallen or the top growth has died
down. The dormant period is usually, but not always, in winter. Compare resting
period.
DOUBLE FLOWER -- The Latin name for this is "flore
pleno." It refers to flowers that have many petals present, such as roses.
DOUBLE POTTING -- An American term for placing a potted
plant in a larger pot with damp peat moss surrounding it. The peat is kept moist
and provides a humid evaporative effect for the potted plant nestled between it.
DRAWN -- Excessively tall and weak growth, caused by plants
being grown in too little light or too closely together.
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