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-- P --
PALMATE LEAF -- Five or more lobes arising from one point --
hand-like.
PEAT (Feat moss in the U.S) -- Partially decomposed sphagnum
moss or sedge used in making composts. Valuable for its pronounced air- and
water-holding capacity and its freedom from weeds and disease organisms.
PEBBLE TRAY -- Grouping potted plants within a shallow,
pebble filled tray in order to maintain humidity in an environment with central
heating. Water is poured into the pebbles and evaporates up and around the
plants.
PEDICEL -- The stalk of an individual flower.
PEDUNCLE -- The stalk of an flower head. (see also
Inflorescence)
PENDANT -- Hanging.
PERENNIAL -- A plant which will live for three years or more
under normal conditions.
PERFOLIATE -- Paired leaves which fuse around the stem.
PERILITE -- A mineral expanded by heating to form very
lightweight, porous white granules useful in container soil mixes to enhance
moisture and air retention.
PETAL -- One of the divisions of the corolla -- generally
the showy part of the flower.
PETIOLE -- A leaf stalk.
pH -- A measure of acidity and alkalinity. Below pH 6.5 is
acid, above pH 7.5 is alkaline.
PHYLLODE -- A leaf stalk expanded to look like and act like
a leaf.
PICOTEE -- Term applied to a narrow band of colour on a pale
ground at the edge of a petal.
PINCHING OUT -- The removal of the growing point of a stem
to induce bushiness or to encourage flowering. Also known as stopping.
PINNATE LEAF -- A series of leaflets arranged on either side
of a central stalk.
PIP -- Two distinct meanings -- the seed of some fruits (e.g
Orange) and the rootstock of some flowering plants (e.g Convallaria).
PISTIL -- The female reproductive parts of the flower.
PLANT WINDOW -- Double window with plants grown in the space
between.
PLUG -- A small but well-rooted seedling raised in a
cellular tray and sold for growing on.
PLUNGING -- The placing of a pot up to its rim outdoors in
soil, peat or ashes.
POLLEN -- The yellow dust produced by the anters. It is the
male element which fertilized the ovule.
POT-BOUND -- A plant growing in a pot which is too small to
allow proper leaf and stem growth.
POTTING ON -- The repotting of a plant into a proper-sized
larger pot which will allow continued root development.
PRICKING OUT -- The moving of seedlings from the tray or pot
in which they were sown to other receptacles where they can be spaced out
individually.
PROPAGATION -- In gardening usage, this refers to the many
different ways of starting new plants.
PRUNING -- A method of cutting off leaves or branches within
limits in order to remove dead or diseased foliage or branches. Also used to
control or direct growth, increase quality or yield of flowers or fruit and to
ensure growth position of main branches to enhance structural strength. (See
Bonsai for ornamental reasons as well.)
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