A
acid soil            Soil with a pH value lower than 7. A pH value higher than 7 means the soil is alkaline. The term pH is basically a measure of the amount of lime contained in your soil. A factor overlooked by many beginning gardeners is that if plants are grown in soil of unsuitable pH, the plants will not prosper.

aerate          
 		 Loosening or puncturing the soil in order to allow air to enter
aerial root      A plant root growing above ground
air layering
A method of propagation wherein a plant shoot is is induced to form roots while still attached to the mother plant.  Also known as marcottage.

alkaline soil 
With a pH value higher than 7.  A pH value lower than 7 means the soil is acidic. The term  pH is basically a measure of the amount of lime contained in your soil. A factor overlooked by most gardeners is that if your plants are grown in soil of unsuitable pH, the plants’ growth will suffer.
annuals  
A term most relevant in countries that experience winter.  For us in the Philippines, it’s quite confusing.  To us, something that is 'annual' refers to something that occurs more or less once every twelve months. But in the Western world of gardening, annuals are defined as plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season (which is definitely less than 12 months).  Annuals go from germination to flowering to seeding to dying, say from spring to fall, or from summer to winter etc.  In the Philippines, annuals can refer to plants that are programmed by nature to live for a distinctly short period of time; from a few months to a little over a year, no matter what tender loving care you give them (ex. cosmos, zinnias, petunias).
                       
anther  
 

A reproductive part of a flower; the part of the stamen that produces pollen.
aquatic
 		 Plants which grow in water; may be free-floating, submerged, or rooted in the pond bottom with leaves and flowers above the water surface

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backfill 
 		 Literally, just filling back the hole you’ve dug with soil after you’ve positioned the plant’s roots in it
ball            
 
To have trees or shrubs lifted from the ground and having their root balls wrapped to keep them intact during transplanting
 
bare root
 		 Plants that are sold with all of the soil removed from their roots.  Common for roses abroad, but hardly ever practiced here.
beds            
 
Plants grown in a defined section or grouping, usually in blocks or narrowly spaced rows
bedding plants
 
Not very popular in the Philippines, these are plants (mainly annuals and biennials) which are nursery grown almost to maturity and then planted out in garden beds for a quick, colorful show of flowers. Since Filipinos overwhelmingly prefer low-maintenance perennial gardens, bedding plants seem a fussy and fleeting gardening chore. But they serve well as temporary fillers for the gaps and bald spots between newly planted perennials or as long-blooming alternatives to cut-flower arrangements.
biennial
 
In countries with winter, these are plants that usually only live two years, normally producing flowers and seed the second year.  In the Philippines, the line between annuals and biennials is rather blurred.  Ideally, plants in the tropics should just be classified as either short-lived or perennial.
biodegradable pot
A pot made of biodegradable material ideal for growing seedlings in, especially that of trees and shrubs. When the plant is ready for transplanting, the pot is no longer removed and is planted into the ground and allowed to degrade underground, thus preventing transplant shock while providing additional organic material to the soil.

bleed            
When a plant loses sap through a cut or wound

bolt             
To produce flowers and seeds prematurely. Usually caused by too warm temperatures

bonsai  
The art of growing carefully trained, dwarf plants in containers
botanical name
The Latin or 'scientific' name of a plant, usually composed of two words, the genus and the species

bract           
Modified leaves which may resemble normal leaves or be large and brightly colored. Often confused with the flower itself, and are usually protective of the true flowers. Such as in bromeliads, poinsettias and bougainvilleas

brassica
What you call members of the cabbage family

broadcasting  
To scatter seed or fertilizer evenly over the ground

bud             
 
Early or embryonic stages of development of a flower or leaf growth
bulb             
The thickened underground storage organ of some plants

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calcicole 
 		 A lime-loving plant; one that thrives in alkaline soil
 
calcifuge
 		 A lime-hating plant; one that will not grow in alkaline soil
 
chlorophyll 
 		 The green pigment in leaves that is mainly responsible for light absorption and thus photosynthesis in plants. If you will notice, many plants with variegated leaves will sometimes revert to green when kept indoors. They need the extra chlorophyll to survive under low light conditions.
 
climber 
 		 A plant that climbs using other plants or objects as support
 
coconut fiber
 		 The husk of the coconut stripped into fiber
 
coco peat
 		 Despite what its name implies, these blocks of compressed coir dust contain no peat at all. It is a term coined in the Philippines to encourage users to turn to coco bricks (coir dust compressed into bricks) instead of looking for imported peat moss for use as an ingredient in their potting mixes. Coco peat or coir dust alone does not deliver the requirements of a good potting medium and thus needs to be combined with other materials for optimum plant health.
 
coir dust
 		 Coconut fiber processed and ground to a powder; used extensively as a soil amendment or potting mix ingredient
 
companion planting The practice of grouping plants together that are said to have a beneficial effect on neighboring plants by discouraging pests and diseases or improving growth.
 
complete fertilizer
 		 A plant food which contains all three of the primary elements: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In the Philippines, the term “complete” is used as the generic name for the unbranded granular fertilizer available in most garden stores (a.k.a. Triple 14). However, complete fertilizers come in a range of varying nutrient levels, not just 14-14-14.
 
compost
 		 An organic material, made of decomposed plant remains and other organic matter, used to improve soil quality.
 
cotyledon
 		 The first leaf or leaves that emerge from a seed
 
crocks          
 		 Literally, basag na paso. Broken pieces of clay pots that are used to cover drainage holes of pots to prevent the potting mix from escaping and to improve aeration.
 
crown           
 		 The point at which a plant’s roots and top join from where new shoots are produced, usually at soil level
 
cultivar      
 		 A contraction of “cultivated variety”; a group of cultivated plants which are able to reproduce a certain, distinguishing trait. This is in contrast to certain plants (ex. F1 hybrids) which produce offspring that do not possess the same traits as their parents.
 
cuttings
 		 Portions of plants used for propagation, usually stems, roots, shoots or leaves

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damping off
 		 A fungus that affects seedlings and causes the stem to rot off at soil level. Sterilized or soilless potting mixes and careful sanitation practices usually prevent this.
 
dead-heading
 		 The removal of spent or faded flowers. This is done to keep the plant looking good and to promote continued blooming.
 
dethatching 
 		 The process of removing dead stems that build up beneath lawn grasses. This is done periodically to promote better water and nutrient penetration into the soil.
 
dieback
 		 The death of the tips of new growth due to disease or damage.
 
division     
 		 A method of increasing plants by splitting them up into pieces, each with roots and one or more shoots. This should be done to mature perennials whenever they look to too clumped together.
 
double digging
 		 Cultivating the soil by systematically working an area to the depth of two shovels.
 
double petals
 		 A flower with many overlapping petals which gives it a very full appearance
 
drainage
 		 The passage of excess water through soil
 
drip line
 		 The circle which would exist if you drew a line tracing the tips of the outermost branches of a plant. Underneath trees or tall plants, this is generally considered a shaded area and should therefore influence your selection of plants or ground cover.
 
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earthworm castings
 		 Soil and other organic matter which has passed through an earthworm’s body. Greatly improves overall soil structure and fertility. Available at GreenHearts as Vermicast.
 
epiphyte
 		 A plant that obtains moisture and nutrients from the atmosphere. Usually grows on another plant but is not parasitic and thus doesn’t do any damage to the host plant. Orchids that are epiphytes do not get any nutrition from the driftwood they cling to, unlike what some people believe.
 
espalier
 		 A plant trained with its main, central stem vertical and its branches in a flat, outward pattern.
 
eye             
 		 A dormant bud growth which will ultimately produce new growth.
 
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F1 hybrids First generation plants that arise from crossing two purebred parents, resulting in uniformly superior plants. (Imagine an army of identically superior soldiers.) F1 hybrids, when reproduced from seed, do not produce plants identical to themselves.
 
F2 hybrids Plants that result from the pollination of F1 hybrids; F2 hybrids are less uniform than their parents. (Imagine an army of somewhat delinquent and undisciplined soldiers.)
 
flat             
 		 A shallow box used to start cuttings or seedlings
 
foliar feeding
 		 Fertilizer applied in liquid form to the plant’s leaves.
 
forcing
 		 The process of hastening a plant’s growth to blooming or fruiting usually by manipulating the environment
 
frond           
 		 The term for the leaf structures of ferns or members of the palm family
 
frost             The condensation and freezing of moisture in the air causing damage or death to tender plants. A problem those in the Philippines would only encounter if they lived in the uplands like Baguio -- or if they put their plants in the refrigerator!
 
fungicide
 		 A substance that kills disease-causing fungi
 
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germination
 
The sprouting of a seed
 
grafting
 		 The process of artificially uniting a stem of one plant onto the root stock of a different plant so that they eventually function as one plant. This method can produce some striking specimens, for instance among grafted cacti, or bougainvillea of three or four different colors displayed by one plant.
 
ground cover
 		 Low-growing plants used to quickly cover bare soil and create a uniform appearance
 
growing season
 		 In the Philippines, this is approximately 365 days a year, give or take a typhoon or two. In cooler countries, it is the number of days between the average date of the last killing frost in spring and the first killing frost in fall.
 
guano           
 		 Bat dung; recognized as one of nature’s best fertilizers, second only to earthworm castings
 
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hardening off 
 		 The process of gradually acclimatizing greenhouse or indoor grown plants to outdoor growing conditions
 
hardpan
 		 The layer of soil or clay lying beneath the topsoil which is impervious to water and oxygen, impeding root growth and drainage.
 
hardiness
 		 The ability of a plant to withstand low temperatures including frost, without artificial protection. A term Philippine gardeners need not concern themselves about.
 
herb             A plant grown for its medicinal or flavoring or scented properties
 
herbaceous
 		 Describes a plant with soft rather than woody tissues.
 
herbicide
 		 A chemical used to kill weeds (No, it does not refer to all your basil and oregano killing themselves.)
 
humus          
 		 The brown or black organic part of the soil resulting from the decay of leaves and other matter. Also used to describe partly decayed matter like compost.
 
hybrid            The offspring of genetically different parents. Hybrids are created when the pollen from one kind of plant is used to pollinate another with very distinct characteristics.
 
hydroponics 
 		 The cultivation of plants in nutrient-rich chemical solutions instead of soil, sometimes using sterile aggregates such as vermiculite or perlite. Hydroponically-grown is definitely not the same as organically-grown, as some people mistakenly think.
 
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inflorescence 
 		 A group of flowers borne on a single stem; also refers to the showy bracts of bromeliads to distinguish them from the true, usually inconspicuous flowers
 
irrigation  The system used to provide a controlled supply of water to plants; also a general term for watering
 
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layering A method of propagation by which a stem of a plant is induced to root while still attached to the plant
 
leaching  The loss of soluble nutrients from soil by drainage. A problem during rainy season, when prolonged rainfall can cause the loss of nutrients from the soil by natural leaching.
 
leader           
 		 Usually the central stem of a plant; the main stem
leaf mold
 		 Partially decomposed leaves used as a soil improver
lime              Loosely refers to a number of compounds of calcium. The amount of lime in soil determines if it is acid, alkaline or neutral.
 
loam             A medium-textured soil that contains more or less equal parts of clay, sand, silt and is usually rich in organic matter.
 
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medium 
 		 A growing mixture in which plants are grown
microclimate Variations of the climate within a small area, usually influenced by structures, trees or bodies of water. Trees around a small fountain in your backyard can make things feel a lot cooler than in your sun-drenched front lawn just several meters away.
 
micronutrients Mineral elements essential to plants but only in very small quantities. Also known as trace elements.
 
mulch            Any material placed on the soil surface to control weeds and conserve moisture. Usual materials used are leaves, grass clippings, nuts and shells, pebbles, and moss. Other options are plastic, foil and newspaper (non-colored pages only).
 
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native   A plant that occurs naturally in a specific area
 
naturalize        To plant, establish and grow without special requirements, as if in the wild
 
nectar            Sugary liquid secreted by a plant tissue, usually from within a flower, and often attractive to pollinating insects
 
nematicide A pesticide used to control nematodes
 
neutral Soil that’s neither alkaline nor acidic with a pH value of 7.0
 
node             The point on a stem from which a leaf, new branch or flowers shoot out
 
nutrients          Mineral used by plants to manufacture proteins and other compounds needed for their growth
 
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offset             See offshoot
 
offshoot           A plant that arises from natural reproduction; vegetative growth usually at the base of the parent plant. Also known as offset.
 
organic Refers to compounds and materials derived from decomposed plant or animal organisms
 
organic gardening
 		 The method of gardening without the use of synthetic materials
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parasitic plant A plant which lives on and gets its nutrients from another plant. This could gravely affect the health and even lead to the death of the host plant. However, not all plants that live on another are parasitic. (See epiphyte)
 
peat             Partially decayed plant life formed on the surface of waterlogged soil or bogs. Despite its name, cocopeat does not contain any peat.
 
peat moss The partially decomposed remains of moss, usually sphagnum moss. Is commonly used in the West for potting mixes, but because peatlands are getting to be an endangered habitat in certain countries, peat substitutes (like coir dust) are gaining popularity abroad.
 
peat substitute A term applied to new alternatives to peat – such as coir dust – for use in potting mixes or as soil improvers
 
perennial         Generally, any plant that lives for more than two years
 
perlite            A volcanic mineral added to potting mixes to improve aeration, water retention and drainage. Comes in three grades: fine for highest moisture retention, may be used for seed raising, stem cuttings and lawns; medium for general potting use; coarse for plants requiring maximum drainage such as cacti, orchids and bromeliads. Its very lightweight quality also makes it an excellent addition to hanging basket potting mixes.
 
pH               In horticulture, pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil or the amount of lime contained in your soil. The scale measures from 1 to 14. Soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is acidic; soil with pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline. pH 7 is neutral. A plant grown in pH not to its preference will be unable to utilize the nutrients in the soil.
 
photosynthesis The process whereby a plant produces its own food (organic compounds) through the combined use of sunlight (light energy), air (carbon dioxide), water, and chlorophyll (the green pigment in leaves that absorbs light). The nutrients plants get from the soil or from fertilizers you feed it are used to give the plant energy to perform photosynthesis.
 
pinching back Literally pinching off (removing by use of the thumb and forefinger) the growing tip of a plant. This promotes the formation of more flower buds or branching and therefore leads to a bushier, fuller plant. Also called stopping.
 
pistil             The seed-bearing organ of a flower, consisting of the ovary, stigma, and style
 
pollen            The male cells of a plant formed in the anther
 
pollination        The transfer of pollen from the anther (male part of the flower) to the stigma (female part of the flower) which results in the formation of seed.
 
potting mix A mixture designed for use in pots or container gardens. When loam is used, it should be sterilized before the amendments are added. Soil-less potting mixes contain no loam and are mainly composed of coir dust or peat with nutrient additives and improvers.
 
potting on Transferring a plant from one pot to a larger one
 
potting up Transferring seedlings into individual pots
 
pricking out The careful removal of seedlings (which you practically have to coax out with a small “prick-like” tool) from the crowded seedling bed or pot where they germinated and transferring them to another container or place where they will have more room to grow
 
propagation Various methods of starting new plants ranging from seeds to cuttings, division, layering or even cloning.
 
pruning          The trimming of plants to remove diseased sections or unwanted parts to prevent the spread of disease or to control the shape and direct the growth of a plant.
 
pseudobulb The thickened bulb-like stem of a plant arising from a rhizome; commonly found in dendrobium orchids and cattleyas
 
pumice           A soil improver that improves aeration, moisture retention and drainage. Is also a slow-release source of lime.
 
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revert            Return to a previous or original state; such as a variegated plant producing a plain green leaf
 
rhizome          A specialized plant stem which grows horizontally under the surface of the soil that is used as a food storage organ. New growth then emerges from different points of the rhizome. Cana (a.k.a. Bandera Española) ia a rhizome plant.
 
root ball The network of roots along with the attached soil or potting mix that is visible when a plant is removed from a pot or lifted from the ground
 
rootbound        When a plant’s roots are tightly crowded in its container. Generally, this means the plant is due for repotting. However, there are some plants that grow better when they are slightly rootbound, such as Bougainvillea and African Violets.
 
rooting hormone A powder or liquid chemical compound used at very low concentrations to stimulate the development of roots on a cutting. A few drops of the liquid in water used to water newly-transplanted plants can also help prevent transplant shock.
 
rootstock         A plant which provides the root system when another plant is grafted onto it
 
runner A slender stem that grows out from the base of some plants and grows roots to form new plants. The new plant may be severed from the parent after it has developed sufficient roots.
 
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scion             A short length of stem cut from one plant and grafted onto the rootstock of another plant
 
seedling          A very young plant that has developed from a seed
 
self sow When a plant sheds fertile seeds and produces seedlings around its base or in its vicinity (with no help from us, that is) . Commonly observed with cosmos, marigolds, zinnias, vinca and a host of other short-lived beauties who never fail to leave us with more beauties to take their place before they go.
 
shoot            A branch, stem or twig that “shoots out” from somewhere -- either the ground or another stem
 
specimen plant A strikingly beautiful plant which can be displayed as a focal point in the garden or in a container all its own
 
sphagnum moss A bog moss which is collected and composted for use in potting mixes and is valued for its moisture retentive properties. (See peat moss). The moss commonly packaged and sold in a fresh state in local garden stores and used for mulch is not sphagnum but is moss harvested from Philippine forests.
 
spore            The minute reproductive cell of flowerless plants such as ferns, fungi and mosses
 
stopping          See pinching back
 
succulent        A plant with thick, fleshy leaves or stems which it uses to store water. All cacti are succulents (but not all succulents are cacti). 
Keep yourself from watering succulents too much. They prefer having their potting mix getting dry between waterings.
 
sucker A growth originating from below ground from a plant’s roots or underground; or from the rootstock of a grafted plant. Sucker growth (as you can tell from the name) sucks or steals energy from the main plant and should be removed.
 
systemic A chemical which is absorbed directly into a plant’s system, usually taken up from the roots and eventually stored for several weeks in the leaves. Systemic pesticides work by killing insects which feed on the treated plant.
 
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tender            Nothing for Filipino gardeners in the lowlands to be concerned about. This refers to plants unable to endure frost or freezing temperatures.
 
tendril           The slender stem or growth of many vines which enables a plant to attach itself to a support or trellis by twining around it.
 
thatch            The layer of dead organic matter that builds up under many lawn grasses
 
thinning The removal of excess seedlings, shoots, flowers, fruit buds and stems to improve the health and quality of growth of the remainder. This gives the remainder more room to grow and less competition for nutrients. Yes, it does feel like the movie “Sophie’s Choice” sometimes. But this is entirely different.
 
top dress To apply soluble fertilizers, fresh soil or compost to the surface of the soil around a plant to replenish lost nutrients
 
topiary The art of pruning and training certain plants into formal shapes such as geometric shapes or even animals. Also refers to the shaped plant
 
topsoil           The top layer of soil. Also refers to good quality, loam-based soil sold at garden stores.
 
transpiration          The release of moisture through the leaves of a plant. Plants with high transpiration rates are excellent for improving the quality of air indoors
 
transplanting The process of digging up a plant and moving it from one location to another
 
true  Plants that give rise to offspring similar to their parents when self-pollinated (See F1 and F2 hybrids)
 
tuber             A swollen, usually underground organ used to store food
 
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underplanting        Low-growing plants planted beneath larger plants
 
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variegated            Leaves which are marked with two or a larger variety of colors in an irregular pattern
 
vermicast              Pure earthworm castings; recognized as nature’s best fertilizer
 
vermiculite             A lightweight mineral which improves water retention and aeration properties of potting mixes. Also used in hydroponics.
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wind-break  Any structure that shelters plants and protects them from strong winds
 
wound           A cut or break in a plant
 
wound paint  A special paint applied to a cut surface of a plant after pruning
 
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zones In North America, where winter is a major concern for plant lovers, the country has been divided into zones to help guide the gardeners in their choice of plants and in plotting their gardening calendars. The lower the zone number, the colder the winter. As a general guideline for Filipinos reading about plants in Western reference materials, plants for Zones 10 and 11 are the ones gardeners in the Philippines will have greatest success with. Those for Zone 9 can manage even in our lowlands provided they are shielded from the extreme heat of our summer sun. Plants that thrive in Zone 8 will do best in the upland areas like Baguio or Tagaytay. Those plants for zones with lower numbers are generally best enjoyed in our dreams.