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GROWERS INFORMATION -
ARTICLE - HYDROPONIC DICTIONARY |
Hydroponic Dictionary
Courtesy of Maximum Yield Magazine
Author Unknown
Don comes home after working late at the office. He slides
into bed next to his wife and gives her the universal gesture
for I am a man that wants some (The indiscriminate sleeping
grope.) His wife wakes up and Don gives her his most disarming
smile in the dark. Hey honey
are you up for getting a
little frisky? After a few moments of silence, Dons wife
flicks on the lamp on the bedside table and turns to face her
husband.
Well, honey, it would appear that the co-tangent of the
horizontal aperture of time allowing for said endeavors to
take place has been over-ridden by self-appointed desires to
alleviate personal exhaustion through an extended period of
REM state graded unconsciousness.
I dont get it? replied Don in bewilderment.
Exactly! replied his wife who then flicked out the light.
Sometimes the most exhaustive part of learning anything new is
being bombarded by unfamiliar words and terminology. This
unfamiliarity can sometimes dissuade a person from giving his
or her best effort, or applying themselves at all.
Reading about hydroponics can seem incredibly daunting to any
new indoor gardener, as the terminology involved is quite
vast. Assembled here is a thorough list of the most commonly
used terms in the industry, and their definitions. Give it a
quick read through, or just keep it handy while you are
perusing any other publications.
- A -
ACID an acidic solution has a pH below 7
AERATION directly supplying roots and grow medium with air
or oxygen
ALGAE any of various chiefly aquatic, eukaryotic,
photosynthetic organisms, ranging in size from single-celled
forms to the giant kelp
ALKALINE a term describing a grow medium or nutrient
solution with a high pH (over 7)
AMPERE (AMP) this is the unit used to measure strength of an
electric current
- B -
BACTERIA any of the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms
of the class Schizomycetes, which vary in terms of morphology,
oxygen and nutritional requirements, and motility, and may be
free-living, saprophytic, or pathogenic in plants or animals
BALLAST a device used to regulate flow of electricity to
match the needs of a specific bulb
BLOOM (1) the flower of a plant (2) the action of a plants
flower reaching maturity
BLOSSOM BOOSTER a fertilizer with a high phosphorous rating
which increases flower yield
BOLT a plant which has gone to seed prematurely
BUD a small protuberance on a stem or branch, sometimes
enclosed in protective scales and containing an undeveloped
shoot, leaf, or flower
BURN leaf tips which turn noticeably dark from excess
fertilizers or salts
- C -
CANOPY the uppermost reaches of your crop; those leaves most
readily available to the light source
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas
in the air necessary for plant life. It occurs naturally in
the atmosphere at .03%
CELL DIVISION The process by which a cell divides to form
two daughter cells. Upon completion of the process, each
daughter cell contains the same genetic material as the
original cell and roughly half of its cytoplasm
CHITIN a tough, protective, semitransparent substance,
primarily a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide, forming the
principal component of arthropod exoskeletons and the cell
walls of certain fungi
CHLOROSIS a sick plant displaying yellowing leaves due to a
sub standard chlorophyll process; commonly caused by nutrient
deficiency or imbalanced pH
CLONE a plant which has been produced through asexual
reproduction (i.e. cuttings, layerings, and tissue culture)
CONDITIONING the method used to bring an inert growing
medium to optimum pH levels, such as soaking new rockwool in
an acidic solution to lower the pH from 8.0 to 5.5
COTYLEDON a leaf of the embryo of a seed plant, which upon
germination either remains in the seed or emerges, enlarges,
and becomes green. Also called seed leaf
CULTIVATION the act of processing the fruit of a mature
plant
CYTOKININ any of a class of plant hormones that promote cell
division and growth and delay the senescence of leaves
- D -
DAMPING OFF FUNGUS disease which attacks young seedlings and
cuttings causing them to rot at the base. This is generally
caused by over watering.
DISSOLVED SOLIDS the amount of dissolved solids, usually
fertilizer salts, that are measured in parts per million
DRIP SYSTEM an efficient water delivery system which employs
a plumbed main hose filtering nutrient through various drip
emitters, one drop at a time.
- E -
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY the ability of a solution to carry
electrical energy as a result of the elements and compounds in
the solution
- F -
FERTILIZER see nutrient
FLOOD TABLE a large flat, walled basin used to hold and
support grow medium and plants. Nutrient is then flooded into
the basin at regular intervals
FOLIAR FEEDING using a mister or spray bottle to deliver
fertilizer solution directly to the foliage
FUNGICIDE a product which destroys or inhibits fungus
FUNGUS GNATS minute, blackish, gregarious flies destructive
to mushrooms and seedlings
- G -
GERMINATION the process of causing the initiation of a plant
from seed
GRAFTING uniting (a shoot or bud) with a growing plant by
insertion or by placing in close contact
GROW MEDIA / MEDIUM the material used to support a plants
root system and store nutrient solution in a hydroponic garden
GUANO a substance composed chiefly of the dung of sea birds
or bats, accumulated along certain coastal areas or in caves
and used as fertilizer
- H -
HALOGEN any of the elements chlorine, bromine, iodine and
astatine existing in a free state. Halogens are in the arc
tube of a halide lamp
HARDEN OFF to gradually acclimatize a plant to a harsher
environment. A seedling must be hardened off before planting
outdoors
HID High Intensity Discharge. This generally applies to the
light bulbs used in hydroponic gardens
HOOD the reflective cover of an HID lamp
HOR abbreviation for Horizontal. This is commonly stamped on
some HID bulbs to provide instructions as to how they should
be mounted
HORMONE chemical substance that controls the growth and
development of a plant
HUMIDITY wetness in the atmosphere
HUMUS a brown or black organic substance consisting of
partially or wholly decayed vegetable or animal matter that
provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of
soil to retain water
HYBRID an offspring created by combining two plants of
different breeds, variety or genetic make-up
HYDRATED LIME instantly soluble lime, used to raise or lower
pH
HYDROPONICS cultivation of plants in nutrient solution
rather than in soil
HYGROMETER instrument used to measure the relative humidity
in the atmosphere
- I -
INTENSITY the magnitude of light energy per unit. Intensity
diminishes as light travels away from the source
- K -
KILOWATT-HOUR the measure of electricity used per hour. Ex:
a 1000 watt HID uses one kilowatt per hour
- L -
LEAF CURL leaf malformation indicative of over watering,
over-fertilizing, lack of magnesium, insect damage, fungus
damage or negative tropism
LIGHT CYCLE see PHOTOPERIOD
LIGHT METER a device used to calculate and measure the
effective light in a tested area
LIGHT MOVER an apparatus designed to simulate a natural
horizon by slowly changing the position of a lamp and its
influence
LUMEN measurement of light output. One lumen is equal to the
amount of light emitted by one candle that falls on one square
foot of surface located one foot away from the candle
- M -
MACRO-NUTRIENT one or all of the primary nutrients N-P-K or
the secondary nutrients magnesium and calcium
MAXIMUM YIELD MAGAZINE the number one source for the latest
information pertaining to the hydroponics industry
MICRO-NUTRIENT also referred to as trace elements, which
includes the minerals S, Fe, Mn B, Mb, An and Cu
MICROBIAL a minute life form; a microorganism, especially a
bacterium that causes disease
MODULAR HYDROPONICS the method of growing plants
hydroponically in which each individual plant has its own
contained grow medium and structure
MONOCHROMATIC producing only one colour
- N -
NEMATODE unsegmented worms with elongated rounded bodies
pointed at both ends; mostly free-living but some are
parasitic
NFT Nutrient Film Technique. Nutrient is fed into grow tubes
where the roots draw it up. A thin film of nutrient allows the
roots to have constant contact with the nutrient and the air
layer above at the same time
NITROGEN (N) a nonmetallic element that constitutes nearly
four-fifths of the air by volume, occurring as a colorless,
odorless, almost inert diatomic gas, N2, in various minerals
and in all proteins and used in a wide variety of important
manufactures, including ammonia, nitric acid, TNT, and
fertilizers. Atomic number 7; atomic weight 14.0067; melting
point -209.86°C; boiling point -195.8°C; valence 3, 5
NUTRIENT plant food, essential elements N-P-K, secondary
elements and trace elements which are fundamental to
sustaining plant life
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES low and improper levels of nutrient
being supplied to a plant
- O -
ORGANIC of, marked by, or involving the use of fertilizers
or pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin
- P -
pH a scale from 1 to 14 that measures acid to alkaline
balance.
PARABOLIC REFLECTOR a concave reflector with a series of
honeycombed panels used to reflect light
PERLITE (1) a sand or volcanic glass, expanded by heat,
which holds water and nutrients on its many irregular surfaces
(2) mineral soil amendment
PHOSPHOROUS (P) of, relating to, or containing phosphorus,
especially with valence 3 or a valence lower than that of a
comparable phosphoric compound
PHOTOPERIOD the relationship between the length of light and
dark in a 24 hour period
PHOTOSYNTHESIS the process by which plants use light energy
to collect carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it
to chemical energy in the form of sugar
POLLINATION the transfer of pollen from a stamen to a
pistil. This process is often enhanced by environmental
manipulation, plant movement through shaking or vibration or
the introduction of bees into the growing area
POLYPLOID an organism with more than two sets of chromosomes
POTASSIUM (K) a soft, silver-white, highly or explosively
reactive metallic element that occurs in nature only in
compounds. It is obtained by electrolysis of its common
hydroxide and found in, or converted to, a wide variety of
salts used especially in fertilizers and soaps. Atomic number
19; atomic weight 39.098; melting point 63.65°C; boiling point
774°C; specific gravity 0.862; valence 1
PREDATORY INSECT any variety of insect introduced into a
grow area used to combat pests or detrimental infestations
PROPOGATE (1) Sexual to produce a seed by breeding
different male and female flowers (2) Asexual to produce a
plant by taking cuttings
PRUNING to cut off or remove dead or living parts or
branches of a plant to improve shape or growth
PYRETHRUM natural insecticide made from the blossoms of
various chrysanthemums
- R -
REFLECTOR the highly reflective, smooth finished hood placed
above a lamp to more efficiently direct its light
RESERVOIR (or RES) any container of a variety of
constructions which holds water in reserve for use
REVERSE OSMOSIS (R/O) water which has had all of its
contaminates and salts removed
ROCKWOOL inert, soil less growing medium consisting of thin
strand-like fibres made from rock
- S -
SECONDARY NUTRIENTS Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)
SEEDLING a young plant that is grown from a seed
SHORE FLY any of numerous minute black flies of the family
Ephydridae, living in damp or marshy places
SPIDER MITE any of various small red mites of the family
Tetranychidae that feed on vegetation, causing damage to the
leaves
STIMULATOR any product used to specifically increase one
designated area of a plants growth cycle
STRESS the effect a plant faces when it is subjected to a
detrimental environment
SYSTEMIC a term used in reference to a disease within the
plant tissue, not initiated from the external cells. This also
refers to materials and compounds which are taken up or
absorbed by the plant and designed to fight disease
- T -
THRIPS any of various minute insects of the order
Thysanoptera, having usually four narrow wings fringed with
hairs, and many of which are major pests of various plants and
trees
TRACE ELEMENT a chemical element required in minute
quantities by an organism to maintain proper physical
functioning
- U -
UNIFORM GROWTH ensuring the entirety of the crop receives
equal environmental stimulation resulting in equal growth of
all plants
- V -
VERMICULITE mica processed and expanded by heat
- W -
WETTING AGENT compound that reduces the droplet size and
lowers the surface tension of the water, making it wetter
WHITEFLY any of various small whitish homopterous insects of
the family Aleyrodidae, having long wings and a white waxy
body, often injurious to plants
WICK part of a passive hydroponic system using a wick
suspended in the nutrient solution; the nutrients pass up the
wick and are absorbed by the medium and roots
WORM CASTINGS the nutrient rich fertilizer created by
earthworms |
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