************************************************************* GARDENER’S GLOSSARY PART #1 BY A glossary is
defined as a list defining a collection of words. Usually it is related
to a specific subject or topic. Today I am going to define and explain
some of the words gardener’s use. 1. BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS: Usually you will hear “Bt” as shorthand
for bacteria that a gardener can buy that kills caterpillars without
harming people, pets, or birds. There
are several strains for specific pests. 2. BOTRYTIS: This is sometimes call gray or blight mold, a fungous that
attacks a number of species of plants.
A good example are the buds that dry up on our peonies in spring. Copper sulfate
can also be used for disease control on potatoes, tomatoes, fruits,
flowering shrubs, and shade trees. ALWAYS
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS 3. BULB, BULBILS, 4. CONTACT, SYSTEMIC, and SELECTIVE
HERBICIDES: Contact herbicides kill only the part of the plant they
touch while systemic herbicides are taken up by the roots or leaves, and
penetrate the entire plant “system”. Selective chemicals are
designed to kill certain plants while sparing others. Many of our lawn
weed killers are selective in that they kill dandelions, ground ivy,
henbit, etc. but do not kill the cool season grasses such as bluegrass
and turf type tall fescue. Roundup is an example of a non-selective
herbicide that will kill most plants it is applied to. 5. PERLITE OR VERMICULITE? Both products may be found in potting mixes.
Perlite is the white, very light pieces of volcanic rock that does not
change the soil but lightens its texture and improves it ability to hole
water and air. Vermiculite is made from mineral deposits, and does the
same thing. However, there
are asbestos like particles in vermiculite so one should dampen before
working with it. I keep my bulbs in vermiculite during winter but I put
on a mask when working with it. 6. TOP DRESSING OR 7. JUGLONE: This is a chemical produced by walnut trees, especially the
black walnut that prevents other plants from growing in that area.
Tomatoes are very sensitive. “While the
list of susceptible plants is impressive, there are many plants that are
considered "resistant" to the compound. Vegetables like corn,
beans, onions, beets, and carrots grow well in the vicinity of black
walnut as long as they receive ample sunlight, water, and nutrients.
Shade tolerant annuals and perennials such as begonia, pansy, bleeding
heart, Astilbe, sweet woodruff, coral bells, hosta, Jacob's ladder, 8. BRACTS, SEPALS, 9. STOLON OR RHIZOME: A Stolon is an above ground shoot that grows
along the surface, sometimes call a runner. A good example is a
Strawberry. A Rhizome is growing under the surface, a horizontal
underground stem. Examples are Blood Root, and Jack-in-the-pulpit. 10. SUBSHRUB: This is a woody plant that dies to the ground in winter
and then returns in the spring. Butterfly bushes are good examples in Copyright 2009 |