Indoor Growing Dictionary

Find the definition to all grower terms

Hi there and welcome to Free the Tree’s glossary! In this article we decided to group together de definition of all the commonly used terms in the marijuana growing community, hope it’ll help out! If you know right where you’re going here’s a link to each section

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K-L | M | O-P | R | S | T-U-V-W-X

A

Absorb

To draw or take in: Rootlets absorb water and nutrients.

AC (Alternative current)

An electric current that reverses its direction at regularly occurring intervals: Modern Homes use AC electric.

Acid

A sour substance; An acidic or sour soil has a low pH, ranging from 0 to 6.9.

Active

A Hydroponic system that actively moves the nutrient solution

Adobe (soil)

Heavy clay soil that drains slowly. Adobe is not suitable for container gardening.

Aeration (oxygenating the soil)

To supply soil and roots with air or oxygen. This can be done well using Air Pots

Adventitious roots

Roots that grow from unusual spots as on the pericycle (stem) or endodermis of an older root. Auxin levels may influence this type of root growth.

Aeroponics

Growing plants by misting roots suspended in the air

Aggregate

A substrate that is of nearly uniform size and used for the inert hydroponic medium.

Agronomically

Having to do with the economics of agriculture

Alkaline

Refers to a substance with a pH ranging from 7.1 to 14

Alkylation

A process in which an alkyl group is substituted or added to a compound

Alleles

Two genes, each of which occupies the same position or locus on two homogeneous chromosomes.

Amendments

Can be either organic or mineral based: Amendments change the texture of a growing medium (ex: adding water beads to the soil)

Ampere (amp)

The unit used to measure the strength of an electric current. ex: A 20 amp circuit will be overloaded when drawing more than 16 amps

Androecious Plant

Androecious plants are defined by having staminate (male) flowers An androecious population consist only of males, also called “all-male” populations.

Anemophilous

Pollinated by wind-dispersed pollen. Marijuana is a anemophilous plant, meaning that it doesn’t depend on a pollinating insects.

Annual Plant

A plant that normally completes its entire cycle of life in one year or less. Weed is an annual plant

Arc Tube

Container for luminous gases; Houses the arc in an HID lamp

Asexual propagation:

Reproducing using non-sexual means such as taking cuttings from a parent plant. These means will produce exact genetic replicas of the parent plant (also called clones)

Auxin

Classification of plant hormones. Auxins are responsible for foliage and root elongation.

B

Bacteria

Very small, one-celled plant that does not contain any chlorophyll.

Bad Seed

Common term given to marijuana seeds from an unknown origin, generally found in a bag of marijuana

Ballast

A stabilizing unit that regulates the flow of electricity and starts an HID lamp. A ballast is composed of a transformer and a capacitor.

Beneficial Insects

Insects that feed, or keep away, marijuana Pests. Lady bugs are the perfect example when fighting a thrips infestation

Biodegradable

To decompose through natural bacterial action. Substances made of organic matter can be broken down naturally.

Biosynthesis

The production of a chemical compound by a plant. Plants produce O2 (oxygen) through biosynthesis.

Bleach

Household laundry bleach can be used in a mild water solution to sterilize grow rooms and as soil fungicide.

Blood Meal

High-nitrogen organic fertilizer made from dried blood.

Bloom

A plant that starts yielding flowers. When Marijuana enters the flowering stage she starts to bloom.

Blossom Booster

Fertilizer high in Potassium and Phosphorus (KP) which increases the flower yield and weight

Bonsai

A very short or dwarfed plant. Can be done to a mother plant in order to maintain her.

Bract

Small spur-like foliage that grows from the plants stem; this is the point from which flowers emerge.

Breaker box

Electrical circuit box having on/off switches rather than fuses. The main breaker box is also called a service panel.

Breed

To sexually propagate cannabis under controlled circumstances.

Bud

There are 2 possible definitions to this term

A small, undeveloped stem or shoot.
A collection of flowering calyxes on a branch

Bud Blight

A withering condition that attacks flower buds. The most common type of bud blight in cannabis is mold

Buffer

A substance that reduces the shock and cushions against fluctuations. Most fertilizers contain buffer agents.

Bulb

Outer glass envelope or jacket that protects the arc tube of an HID lamp

Bulbous trichome

A ball-shaped, resin producing plant hair without a stalk.

C

Callus

Tissue made of undifferentiated celles produced by rooting hormones on plant cuttings.

Calyx

The pod harboring male or female cannabis reproductive organs. In botany, the calyx is a cluster of leaves that surrounds the bud or flower. Observe a hemp plant, and you’ll find that the calyx is the first part that forms before the formation of a flower. So, why do retailers so often talk about thick, dense calyxes and why is it important? Well, the calyx is where you’ll find the trichomes – the tiny, fuzzy, white hairs that cover the hemp plant’s leaves. These trichomes are responsible for the production of sticky resin, which is basically where the cannabinoids can be found.

Cambium

A layer of cells which divides and differentiates into xylem and phloem and is responsible for growth.

Cannabaceae

Scientific family to which Cannabis (Marijuana/Weed/Ganja) and Humulus (hops) belong to.

Cannabinoid

A family of hydrocarbons produced by cannabis. Marijuana is the only plant to produce these elements.

Cannabinoid profile

Proportional ratio and levels of major cannabinoids found in a specific strain of cannabis

Cannabis

Scientific name for marijuana

Capitate Stalked Trichome

Resin producing plant hair without a stalk. This trichome contains high levels of THC.

Carbohydrate

Neutral compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which is mostly formed by green plants. Sugar, starch and cellulose are carbohydrates

Carbon Dioxide (CO²)

A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas in the ai; necessary for the life and development of a plant.

Caustic

A substance that destroys, kills or eats away by chemical activity

CBD (Cannabidiol)

This compound, produced by the trichomes once they’ve started to deteriorate is on the the main components studied in Medical Marijuana. It does not have psychoactive effects but is known for prolonging the high.

CBC (Cannabichromene)

Second most abundant cannabinoid in recreational marijuana

Cell

Base structural unit of plants which contain a nucleus, a membrane and chloroplasts.

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate that stiffens a plant. Outdoor stems contain more stiff cellulose that indoor plants. When you cut the stem of the plant, the white section inside is cellulose

Chelate

Combining nutrients in an atomic ring that is easy for plants to absorb

Chimera (aka Chimaera)

There are 2 possible definitions depending on the context

A plant or organism with tissue from at least 2 genetically distinct parents
A fire-breathing female monster most often portrayed as a lion, goat and serpent composite (I think you’re looking for the 1st ^^)

Chlorophyll

The green photosynthetic matter present in plants. Chlorophyll is found in the chloroplasts of a cell and is necessary for photosynthesis

Chlorosis

The condition of a sick plant with yellowing leaves due to inadequate formation of chlorophyll. Chlorosis is caused by a nutrient deficiency, generally iron or a pH imbalance

Clay

Soil made of very fine organic and mineral particles. Clay drains slowly and is not suitable for container gardening.

Clone

There are two possible definitions to this:

A rooted cutting of a plant
Asexual propagation of the plant

In both cases a close has the exact same properties as the mother plant.

CO² Enrichment

A technique used to increase the grow rooms or greenhouses atmosphere by adding CO² in order to speed up growth.

Cola

Mexican and North-american term used to talk about a marijuana flower top.

Colchicine

Poisonous alkaloid from the autumn crocus used n plant breeding to introduce polyploid mutations

Cold temperatures

Generally for marijuana dangerous cold temperatures are around 10°C (50°F)

Color Spectrum

The band of colors, measured in nm emitted by the light source.

Color Tracer

A coloring agent that is added to many commercial fertilizers so the horticulturist knows there is fertilize in the solution. For example, Peters uses a blue color tracer

Compaction

Soil condition that results from tightly packed soil which limits aeration and root penetration.

Companion Planting

Planting friendly plants around marijuana in order to repel pests or increase resistances to deficiencies. This is generally done in outdoor plantations. The most common examples are garlic and marigolds

Compost

Mixture of decayed organic matter high in nutrients. Compost must be well rotted before use. When it’s too young the decomposition actually uses up Nitrogen, which is counter productive. Once the decomposition process has advanced through the stages will be returned to the soil.

Core

The transformer in the ballast is often referred as a core.

Cotyledon

Seed leaves. They are the first leaves that appear when the seedling has broken the ground. Cotyledon’s allow the plant to photosynthesis enough in order to grow the first set of leaves. During the next stages of growth they’ll most likely die off.

Critical Day length

Maximum light hours which will bring about flowering in the marijuana plant.

Cross-Pollination

Fertilizing a plant with pollen from an unrelated individual of te same species

Crystal

When talking about crystals on marijuana people can be talking about 2 things:

Resin appearing on the foliage.
Fertilizers that come in a form of soluble crystals

Cultivar

A contraction of “cultivated variety” which is a strain of plant that has been intentionally created or selected. This is not a naturally occurring phenomenon.

Cure (Curing marijuana)

Curing marijuana refers to the slow drying process of Marijuana after harvesting. This step is crucial and as important for the taste and high as the whole growth of the plant.

Cuticle

Thin layer of plant wax (cutin) on the surface of the above ground parts of plants.

Cuttings

The term cutting refers to a growing tip cut from a parent plant for asexual propagation. The cuttings will be perfect clones of the mother plant

Cytokinins

Plant hormones that promote cell division, growth and delays the aging of leaves.

D

Damping-off

Fungus disease that attacks young seedlings and clones causing stem to rot at its base. Over-watering is the main cause of damping-off

DC (Direct Current)

A continuous electric current that only flows in one directions.

Decompose

To rot or decay through organic chemical change.

Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol

Abundant in marijuana, this stuff is basically what makes hemp’s brother illegal. Also called THC, tetrahydrocannabinol is part of the cannabinoid family and is the main reason why marijuana gives the feeling of a high. In legal hemp, THC levels should be no more than 0.3% per dry weight. By regulating the amount of THC found in hemp, then local governments can be certain that any hemp-derived products that make their way to the public won’t induce psychoactive effects.

Diapause

A period of plant dormancy during which growth or development is suspended or diminished

Double Potting

Double potting is a two-pot transplanting technique that minimizes root disturbance.

Drainage

To empty soil of excess water. Good Drainage: A soil with good drainage lets water pass through soil, evenly promoting plant growth. Bad Drainage: Water stands still in the soil which will drown the roots and eventually make them rot.

Drip Irrigation System

Efficient watering system that employs a main hose with small water emitters letting water drip down onto the soil. These systems allow a much better and in-depth irrigation of the medium

Drip line

A line around a plant directly under its outermost branch tips. Roots seldom will grow beyond the drip line.

Dry Ice

Cold, white substance formed when CO² is compressed and cooled. Dry ice is used to increase CO² levels in grow rooms.

Dry Soil Pockets

Portions of soil that remains dry after watering. You can avoid this by:

Adding wetting agent (soap) to the water
Use a slow drip irrigation system
Wait 15 minutes between each rounds of watering.

Dry Well

Drain hole filled with rocks to receive drainage water.

E

Elongate (aka the stretch)

To grow in length. Marijuana plants are known to grow strongly the first weeks of the flowering stage. Depending on the strain they can grow up to 200%!

Embolism

A bubble of air in the transpiration stream of a cutting which blocks the uptake of water and nutrients. If this happens the cutting will die.

Embryo

A young plant developing within the seed. In cannabis, an embryo is derived from a fertilized ovule.

Entourage Effect

Here’s a fun word that you’ll read in hemp-derived oil copy. The Entourage Effect is a proposed mechanism that states that hemp extract taken as a whole works better than isolated CBD. Some studies have found that the various chemical compounds in hemp – specifically the cannabinoids and the terpenes – work together to amplify each other’s effects. So, using CBD along with all of its other cannabinoid brothers and sisters as opposed to using the CBD alone would produce more pronounced benefits.

Epsom Salt

Hydrated magnesium sulfate in the form of white crystalline salts. Adding Epsom salts to your medium will increase the levels of magnesium available to the plant.

Ethane Methyl Sulfonate

A mutagenic chemical that causes changes at the DNA level which will induce genetic mutations.

Etiolation

Growth of a plant in total darkness to increase the chances of root initiation.

F

F1 Generation

First filial generation; These are the offspring of the P1 (1st generation parents) plants.

F1 Hybrid Genaration

Heterozygous first filial generation

F2 Generation

Second Filial Generation resulting from a cross between two F1 plants.

Fan Leaves

Large, fan-like marijuana leaves. In your plant these are the largest leaves that photosynthesis the most but contain low amounts of potency.

Female Plant

Pistillate, ovule, seed or flower producing cannabis plant.

Fertilize

This term is used in two different contexts

When adding nutrients into the soil or to the foliage of the plant.
To impregnate (unite) male pollen with a female ovary plant.

Fertilizer burn (aka nutrient burn)

Over fertilization; At first the tips of the leaves start to burn (turn black/yellow) then the leaves curl up and die.

FIM Pruning

Acronym for “Fuck I missed!” pruning method, check out our guide for more

Flat

A shallow container used to start seedlings or clones

Flower Blossom

A mass of calyxes on a stem, top of bud.

Foliage

The leaves, or more generally, the green part of a plant.

Foliage Feed

Misting fertilizer solution which is absorbed by the foliage

Foot Candle Measurement

One Foot Candle (fc) is equal to the amount of light that falls on one square foot of surface located one foot away from a candle.

Fritted

To fuse or embed nutrients with a glass compound. Fritted Trace Elements (FTE’s) are long lasting and do not easily seep into the substrate.

Full Spectrum

Closely related to the previous term, ‘full spectrum’ refers to any hemp product or oil that was extracted as a whole. That means that the formulations contain all 133 of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and not just the CBD. Does that include tetrahydrocannabinol? You bet your ass it’s in the mix, but don’t worry. As long as there’s less than 0.3%, you’re in the clear.

Fungicide

A product that destroys or inhibits fungus.

Fungistat

Product that inhibits fungus.

Fungus

A lower plant (lacking chlorophyll) that may attack green plants: Mold, rust, mildew, mushrooms and bacteria are fungi.

G

Ganja

Hindustani term for marijuana now used worldwide.

Gibberellin

A class of plant growth hormone used to promote stem elongation.

Girdling

Removing a strip of bark or crushing the stem of the plant. Girdling limits the flow of nutrients, water and other nutrients. When badly done this can kill a plant or section of the plant. When done well this can then create a knot which will increase the nutrient intake capacities.

Glandular Trichome

Plant hair gland which secretes resin

GPM

Measurement indicating Gallons per Minutes

Green Lacewing

Insect that preys on aphids, thrips, whiteflies, etc and their larva and offspring. These little are your friends when dealing with an infestation.

Guano

Dung from birds, high in organic nutrients. Seabird guano is noted for being high in nitrogen; Bat guano is known for being high in Phosphorus.

Gynoecious

An individual plant having all pistillate flowers; This is a reference to a population of all-female plants. Plantations of marijuana that are destined to be smoked are gynoecious plantations.

Gynoecium

Female part of a flower that consists of one or more pistils.

H

Halide

A binary chemical compound of a halogen(s) with an electro-positive element. Generally used during the vegetative stage in Metal Halide bulbs.

Hardening-off

Gradual adaptation of indoor or greenhouse plants to an outside environment. Depending of the plant or strain this can last from a couple days to weeks.

Hashish/Hash

A psychoactive element formed of compressed resin heads (trichomes) shaken, washed or rubbed from the foliage of the marijuana plant.

Hash Oil

Solution of tetrahydrocannabinol with a high THC content made from cannabis.

Hemp

Fibrous cannabis low in THC used to make a wide range of products, from textile to automobiles.

Hermaphrodite

An individual having flowers of both sexes on the same plant. Meaning that some colas will be male and others female. Hermaphrodites are more correctly referred to as “intersex”.

Heterosis

Hybrid vigor such that an F1 hybrid falls outside the performance range of the parents with respect to some character or characters. Usually applied to size, rate of growth or general vigor.

HID

High Intensity Discharge lamp. These are types of plants generally used in indoor cultures, Metal Halide during the vegetative stage and High Pressure Sodium during the flowering stage. The opposition to this are LED lights.

Hood

The reflective cover of a lamp..

HOR

The abbreviation stamped on some HID bulbs meaning that they may be used in a horizontal position.

Humus

Dark, fertile, partially decomposed plant or animal matter. Hums forms the organic portion in the soil.

Hybrid

An offspring from two plants of different breeds, variety or genetic make-up.

Hybrid Vigor

Greater strength and health or faster rate of growth in the offspring resulting from the cross-breeding of two gene pools.

Hydroponics

Growing plants in nutrient solutions without soil, usually in an inert soil-less mix

Hygrometer

Instrument for measuring relative humidity in the atmosphere. A hygrometer will save time, frustration and money.

I

IAA

Indol-eacetic acid is a hormone that stimulates growth.

Inbreeding

The process of breeding solely within the seed lot with no external pollen inputs.

Inductive photo-period

Day length required to stimulate flowering.

Insecticide

A product that kills or inhibits insects.

Intensity (light)

The amount or strength of light energy per unit or area. Intensity decreases the further away from the source of light.

Intersex

A single individual expressing both staminate and pistillate flowers.

Intersexual

Having sexual characteristics of both the typical male and typical female plant.

Introgress

To incorporate or add a trait to a given population without otherwise altering the significan characteristic of the population.

K – L

Kif

Moroccan word for cannabis plants and flowers. It’s also the Moroccan term for the pollen of the plant. Kiff is not Hash.

Landrace

A wild cannabis strain that is not improved by humans

Leach (flushing)

To dissolve or wash out nutrients within the soil by heavy watering. This is generally done when dealing with nutrient burn.

Leggy

A plant that is abnormally tall with few leaves, this is usually caused by lack of light or space.

Life Cycle of Marijuana

A series of growth stages through which cannabis must pass in its natural lifetime.

Light Mover

A device that moves a lamp back and forth or in a circular path across the ceiling of a grow room to provide more balanced light.

Limbing (pruning)

Cutting off lower, secondary plant branches to encourage primary growth.

Lime

Calcium compounds such as dolomite of hydrated ime that determine or alter soil pH levels; they will also increase Phosphorus levels.

Litmus Paper

Chemically sensitive paper used to indicate pH levels in colorless liquids.

Loam

Organic soil mixture of crumbly clay, silt and sand.

Locus

A position on a chromosome where a specific gene is located. Plural is loci

Lumen

Measurement of light out-put. 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 one candle.

M

Macro-nutrient

One or all of the primary nutrients N-P-K (nitrogen, Phosphorus or Potassium) or the secondary nutrients Mg (Magnesium) and Ca (calcium).

Manicure

Trim leaves and large stems from buds with scissors or fine pruners so the most THC-potent portion remains.

Meristem

There are 2 possible definitions for this:

Plant tissue from which new cells are formed
The active growing tip of a root or stem

Meristem Pruning

Cutting away the growth tip to encourage branching and limit height.

Micro-nutrients

Trace elements necessary for plant health, including Sodium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, etc

Monoecious

Having male and female reproductive systems or flowers on the same plant.

Monochromatic

Producing only one color, LP sodium lamps are monochromatic lights.

Morphology

The study of the form and structure of animals and plants.

Mother Plant

Female marijuana plant held in vegetative stage and used as a cutting stock to make clones. A mother plant can come from a seed or can be a clone her-self.

Mulch

A protective covering for the soil of compost, old leaves, paper, rocks, etc.

Mycelium

The mass of strands that form the root-like part of fungi often submerged in soil or a host body.

N

Necrosis/Necrotic

Localized death of a section of a plant due to injury or diseases.

Nitrogen (N)

One of the 3 essential elements to plant growth.

Node

A joint and/or position on a stem from which leaves, shoots or flowers grow.

N-P-K

Common term used to described 3 of the main nutrients needed for plants, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

Nursery

Gardening business that grows plants for sale or experimentation. If you have one near you it’s definitely a good place to get info! 🙂

Nutrient

The term nutrients describes elements that are necessary for the plants. These are composed of macro-nutrients (NPK), secondary elements such as Calcium and Magnesium and trace elements. All these elements are necessary in order to sustain plant life.

O-P

Open Pollination

Pollination that occurs naturally as opposed to controlled pollination where no humans interference.

Out breeding

Breeding between individual cannabis plants that are not closely related.

Out-cross

The process of breeding using individuals outside of the family, population or group.

Parasite

Organism that lives on or in another host organism without benefiting the host; For example Fungus is a parasite.

Passive

Hydroponic system that moves the nutrient solution through absorption or capillary action.

Pathogen

A desease*causing micro-organism, especially bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Peat

Partially decomposed vegetation, usually moss, with decay due to extreme moisture, cold and acidic conditions.

Perennial

A plant, such as a tree or shrub, that completes its life cycle over several years. Marijuana is not a perennial plant.

Perlite

Amendment of sand or volcanic glass expanded by heat, which aerates the soil or growth medium

pH

A scale from 0 to 14 that measure the acid or alkaline balance in a solution. From 0 to 6.9 the solution is acidic, 7 is neutral (water) and from 7.1 to 14 is considered alkaline. For marijuana the best levels of pH are between 6.2 and 6.8.

pH Tester

Electronic or chemical instrument used to measure the acidic or alkaline balance in an environment.

Phenotype

The outward form, characteristic and appearance of a plant determined by the interaction of te individual genotype with the environment

Phloem

The nutrient and water conducting tissue of vascular plants.

Phosphorus (P)

One of the macro-nutrients that promote root and flower growth

Photoperiod

The relationship between the length of light and dark in a 24 hour period; This will affect the growth and maturity of marijuana.

Photosynthesis

The building of chemical compounds from light energy, water and CO²

Phototropism

The environmental response of a plant part toward or away from a light source.

Phyllotaxy

The arrangement of leaves on a stem and the principles that govern such arrangement.

Phytotoxic

Substance that is toxic to plants normally burning the leaves.

Pistillate

Females having pistils but no functional stamens.

Pistils

Small pair of fuzzy, white, hairs extending from top of female calyx. The Pistils catch pollen and channel it into contact with the ovule for fertilization.

Pod, Seed

A dry calyx containing a mature or maturing seed.

Pollen

Fine, yellow, dust-like microspores containing male genes

Pollen sack

Male flower containing pollen

Pollination

The transfer of male pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same or a different flower to fertilize ovules which produce seeds.

Polyhybrid Cross

A hybrid plant crossbred for more than one trait.

Pot

There are 2 possible definitions here:

A container used to place growing medium.
A slang word used in north america for Marijuana

Pot bound

Root system that is bound, stifled or inhibited from normal growth by a too-small container.

Potassium (K)

One of the macronutrients necessary for plants to live.

Predatory insect

Beneficial insect or parasite that hunt down and eat harmful insects.

Pruning

Trimming branches or parts of plants to strengthen those that remain, or bring shape to the plant.

Pyrethrum

Natural insecticide made from the blossoms of various chrysanthemums

R

Radicle

The part of a plant seedling that develops into a root, the root tip.

Recovery

Hydroponic system that reclaims the nutrient solution and recycles it.

Rejunevation / Revegetation

A mature plant, having completed its life cycled (flowered) that is stimulated by a new 18 hour photo period in order to reproduce vegetative growth.

Resin Glands

Tiny pores that secrete resin

Roots

The underground part of a plant. Roots function to absorb water and nutrients as well as anchor a plant in the plant.

Rootbound

Root system that is bound, stifled or inhibited from normal growth by a too-small container.

Roguing

To weed out inferior, diseased or undesirable plants from a crop, field or population area.

S

Salt

Crystalline compound that results from improper pH or toxic build-up of fertilizer. Salt will burn plants preventing them from absorbing nutrients.

Scion

The shoot (containing buds) that is used for grafting.

SCROG (Screen of Green)

A growing method which involves training cannabis shoots onto a net, trellis or chicken wire.

Scuff

To scrape and roughen the surface of a seed. When this is done to seeds with hard outer shells they will germinate faster.

Seal-a-meat bags

Airtight sealer for plastic baggies used to seal in freshness of pungent marijuana. This is also very useful to store your buds once you’re done curing them.

Sea of Green (SOG)

A method of growing tightly spaced cloned plants. The clones are flowered very quickly after rooting for a smaller yield per plant but many more plants total

Seed

The mature, fertilized ovule of a pistillate plant. It contains a protective shell, an embryo and a food supply. Given heat and moisture the seed will germinate and grow into a beautiful plant 🙂

Selfing / Self-Pollination

To fertilize with pollen from the same flower or plant; Equivalent

Senescence

The declining growth stage in a plant or plant part from its prime to death

Sinsemilla

Sinsemilla is a combination of 2 Spanish words

Sin: Meaning Without
Semilla: Meaning seed

This term describes potent marijuana from flowering female cannabis plants kept seedless by preventing pollination in order to promote a high THC content

Sexual Propagation

When talking about plants this refers to the reproduction by means of seed flowering fertilization.

Soaps

There are 2 types of soaps that can be used when growing indoors

Wetting agent: Soaps used when watering in order to avoid dry soil pockets
Insecticidal soaps: Used to get ride of pests

Make sure all the soaps used are biodegradable.

Soil-less mix

A growing medium made up of mineral particles such as vermiculite, perlite, sand, pumice, etc.. Organic moss is often a component of soilless mixes

Soluble

An element that can be dissolved in liquids, especially water.

Solution

A mixture of two or more solids, liquids or gases, often mixed with water.

Sponge Rock

Large pieces of perlite, a light mineral, used as soil amendment.

Spore

Seed-like offsprings of certain bacteria, fungi, algae and some non-flowering plants

Sprout

A shoot of a plant which can be found in 2 situations:

A newly germinated seed breaking the ground
A new growth of leaf or stem off an existing plant

Stamen

The male floral organ, bearing the anther which produces pollen to fertilize female flowers.

Staminate

Male, pollen-producing flower having stamens but no pistils

Stigma

The tip of the flower’s pistil which receives the pollen

Stigmatic

The portion of the pistil on which the pollen germinates

Stipule

One of a pair of small leaf like appendages found at the base of the leaf stalk of many plants.

Stomata

Small mouth or nose-like openings on the underside of leaves responsible for transpiration and many other life functions. The millions of stomata must be kept very clear for them to be able to function properly.

Strain

The strain of marijuana is based on Ancestry, lineage and phenotype. Cannabis within the same strain have the same characteristics.

Stress

A physical or chemical factor that causes extra exertion by plants, usually by restricting fluid flow to foliage. Good stress can be applied to the plant in order to increase production, check out our article on plant training for more

Substrate

The medium on which an organism lives, this can be soil, soilless mix, rock, etc.

Sugar

Food product for plant.

Sump

A reservoir that receives drainage. A drain or receptacle for hydroponic nutrient solutions used for growing cannabis.

Super Bloom

A common name for fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium that promotes flower formation and growth.

Synthesis

The production of a substance, such as chlorophyll, by uniting light energy, elements or chemical compounds.

T-U-V-W-X

Taproot

The main or primary root that grows from the seed. Lateral roots will branch off the taproot.

Taxonomy

Classification of plants and animals according to their family relationships

Tepid Water

Lukewarm 70-80°F (21-27°C) water. It’s best to water your plants with water at this temperature in order to facilitate chemical processes and ease shock.

Terminal Bud (Apex)

The growth tip of the main stem of branch.

Terpene

Hydrocarbons found in essential oils (resins) produced by plants.This is one of the elements that gives such a strong aroma to marijuana. You ever wonder why flowers and plants have that distinct smell? Well, that’s thanks to terpenes. These chemical compounds give off that iconic flower smell, and they’re actually present in lots of the products you have at home. Usually, they’re incorporated as fragrances, like in aromatherapy oils. Various types of terpenes release different kinds of smells, and that’s also how strains get their unique flavor profiles. Some of the most common terpenes include lemonene, mycrene, and linalool.

Testa

The hard outer covering of a seed.

THC (TetraHydroCannabinol)

A psychoactive active ingredient which is the primary intoxicant in marijuana. This chemical is produced within the trichomes

Toxic Life

The amount of time a pesticide or fungicide remains active in the environment. If you’re using these make sure the toxic life has passed by harvest! Really it’s best not to use any pesticides during the flowering stage, even neem oil has shown to give side effects.

Transpire

A give off of water vapor and bi-products via the stomata on leaves

Trellis

A frame of small boards that trains or supports plants

Trellising

Method of restricting plant growth or altering its shape and size by tying the plant to a wire or screen (like when scrogging)

Trichomes

Resin-secreting plant hair

Variety

Distinct strain or phenotype

Vascular

Referring to a plants circulatory system which carries sap throughout the body of the plant.

Vegetative Stage

Growth stage in which cannabis rapidly produces new leafy growth, stem and green chlorophyll. Check out our full article on the vegetative stage

Ventilation

Circulation of fresh air which is fundamental to a healthy indoor garden.

Vermiculite

Mica processed and expanded by heat. Vermiculite is a soil amendment and medium for rooting cuttings.

Vitamin B1

Vitamin that is absorbed by tender root hairs easing transplant wilt and shock

Weed

A slang word referring to marijuana.

Wetting agent

A compound that reduces the droplet size and lowers the surface tension of the water making it “wetter”. Liquid concentrate dish soap is a good wetting agent if it’s biodegradable.

Whorl

A whorl is where three or more leaves (or petals) arise from the same point and form a circle around it.

Whorled Phyllotaxy

Three or more leaves or branches located at each node along the branches and stems.

Wick

The part of a passive watering system that nutrient pass up through in order to be absorbed by the medium and/or roots. For example a passive hydroponic system uses a wick suspended in the nutrient solution.

Wilt

There are 2 possible definitions for this term:

To become limp from a lack of water.
A plant desease or disorder (over watering for example)

Xylem

Vascular tissue that transports water and minerals from the roots through-out the stems and leaves.

Alright folks that’s it for this one, don’t hesitate to send a message if you didn’t find what you were looking for! Until next time, be safe and grow easy

About the author

plant-lover

Plant Lover is Free the Tree's founder and a passionate grower of plants. Mostly from the city, I work on my computer all day so about 4 years ago, on my off time, I started growing to have some more green in my life. I never imagined I would fall in love with botany and discover so much about this plant. Since then I keep learning everyday, meeting new awesome people of our community and which keeps me growing constantly You can always get in touch with me on our Instagram!

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