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-- S --
SELF-COLOUR -- A flower with single coloured petals.
SEPAL -- One of the divisions of the calyx.
SERRATE -- Saw-edged leaf design.
SESSILE -- A stalkless leaf or flower which is borne
directly on the stem.
SHEET COMPOSTING -- A method of spreading undecomposed
organic materials over the soil's surface, then working them into the soil to
decompose, rather than piling them and spreading the resulting compost. (see
also Green Manure)
SHORT DAY PLANT -- A plant which requires light for a
shorter period than it would normally receive from daylight in order to induce
flowering; e.g Chrysanthemum and Poinsettia.
SHRUB -- A woody plant with a framework of branches and
little or no central stem. Compare tree.
SINGLE FLOWER -- A flower with a normal amount of petals
present, arranged in a single row. Daisies are a good example of this type.
SOIL POLYMERS -- Super absorbent polymers recently developed
that can increase water retention of soils. They can absorb hundreds of time
their weight in water and are primarily used in container bound plants.
SPADIX -- A fleshy flower spike in which tiny florets are
embedded.
SPATHE -- A large bract, sometimes highly coloured,
surrounding or enclosing a spadix. The spathe flower is characteristic of the
aroids, such as Anthurium and Spathiphyllum.
SPECIES -- Used when naming plants. Designates a specific
species of the 'Genus' and is best described as the plant worlds equivalent to
our Christian names (or first names). Will follow the Genus name and is usually
in Latin. Note: Once a plants full name is used, i.e. Hedera helix, future
listings will abbreviate the Genus name and follow it with the species name. An
example would be, H. helix, as the next plant in a listing.
SPHAGNUM MOSS -- Various mosses native to bogs are sphagnum.
Often used for the lining of hanging baskets and for air layering. (See Air
Layering)
SPORE -- A reproductive cell of nonflowering plants, such as
ferns.
SPORT -- A plant which shows a marked and inheritable change
from its parent; a mutation.
STAMEN -- The male reproductive parts of a flower.
STANDARD -- A plant which does not normally grow as a tree
but is trained into a tree-like form.
STERILIZED SOIL -- A rather misleading term, as steam- or
chemically sterilized soil is only partially sterilized. Harmful organisms have
been killed but helpful bacteria have been spared.
STIGMA -- The part of the female organ of the flower which
catches the pollen.
STIPULE -- A small outgrowth at the base of the leaf stalk.
STOLON -- See runner.
STOPPING -- See pinching out.
STOVE PLANT -- A plant which requires warm greenhouse
conditions in winter.
STRAIN -- A selection of a variety, cultivar or species
which is raised from seed.
SUCCULENT -- Succulents plants have leaves and/or stems
which are thick and fleshy. They often have waxy outer layers that allow the
plants to retain water well.
SUCKER -- A shoot which arises from an underground shoot or
root of a plant.
SYSTEMIC -- A pesticide which goes inside the plant and
travels in the sap stream.
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