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HOME FRUIT GROWING-- Glossary of Terms |
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This page features many more terms that were
unable to be included in the Fruit Gardener's Bible, plus the ones
included there. Some
of the following may have other meanings than these relating to fruit
culture. More unusual terms have pronunciation ( ) after the
term. Abiotic. A
plant problem not caused by a living organism, such as by environment or
improper culture Acidic.
Refers to soil pH, below 7.0 which is neutral, often found near pine
trees, favored by fruits in Heath family such as blueberry, often in
eastern soils, also called “sour” Aggregate. Type of fruit such with brambles,
strawberries; actually made up of many tiny fruit called “drupelets” with
brambles Alkaline. Refers to soil pH, above 7.0 which
is neutral, lower with sulfur, most plants grow best in slightly acidic,
often found in western soils Alternate
fruiting (bearing). Propensity of some fruits, such as
kiwis and some apples, to fruit heavily one year, then little to none the
next, alternating in such a cycle. Anchorage. Ability
of roots, usually rootstock on apples, to anchor a tree; often dwarfing
rootstocks are poor so need staking Anther. Top
of male flower part (stamen) that holds the pollen Anthracnose. Disease of brambles, strawberries,
blueberries; several symptoms from leaf spots to pink slime on fruit;
mostly in rainy periods early in the season Apical
bud. The bud at the apex or tip of
shoots; prune it out to promote side branches Arbor. Vertical structure, used for shade
and one which vines such as grapes are grown; usually of wood, and less
extensive than a pergola and 3 dimensions rather than 2 as with a
trellis. Arm. Stems or shoots of grapes two or
more years old; short branches off the trunk from which future canes
develop; one year old shoots are called canes, and produce the shoots
(spurs) that bear fruit Asexual. Propagation not by seeds, see
Vegetative. Axil. Where the leaf joins a
stem. Axillary
bud. See Lateral
bud. Bacteria.
Disease-causing organism difficult to control, singular
“bacterium” Balanced
pruning. Pruning
back grapes so the growth one year will support the fruits the next;
pruning back new transplants so the top growth is balanced to the roots
lost in transplanting. Balled
and Burlapped. Root and soil surrounding them
encased in burlap to hold together, can be planted if not plastic coated
and it will deteriorate Bare
root. Roots without soil, common method
to buy fruit trees from catalogs Basic. Refers
to soil pH, above 7.0 which is neutral, often found in western soils, also
called alkaline or “sweet” Bench
cut. Pruning
a major upright limb back to a lower, horizontal limb from which it
arises; use sparingly for trees that have gotten too tall Berry.
Type of fruit (simple) arising from one flower, parts remain soft, has one
or more seeds; often refers to small fruits that can be eaten
whole Biennial. Flowering or bearing every other
year, common with some tree fruits; see “alternate
bearing” Bilateral. Growing
in two opposite directions, as canes of grapes off the trunk along trellis
wires Biological
control. Using naturally-derived chemical,
predators, and other non-chemical means to control
pests Biotic. A
plant problem caused by a living organism, such as a fungus disease Bitter
pit. A physiological problem with
apples; seen as small, dark, rounded lesions on the skin; caused by
calcium deficiency Blackcap. A named used for blackberries,
usually wild ones, in some areas Bleed. When
sap oozes from cuts or wounds in early spring on some plants, such as
muscadines; this doesn’t hurt the plants Blind
wood. Stems without any shoots or spurs,
so wont flower or fruit Bloom. Flower; with fruit, refers to
whitish coating as on plums and blueberries Blush. A light red tint on skin of some
fruits such as apples, peaches, yellow cherries. Botrytis.
(bo-TRY-tiss) See gray mold Brambles. Fruiting plants such as
raspberries and blackberries in the Rubus genus, often with thorny
stems that arise prolifically Branch
collar. Swelled area where branch joins a
trunk; prune branches back to this area (but not into it) for fastest
healing Brix. A
measure in percent of sugar content of grape juice, 22 percent being the
usual for wine making Bud. Found in the axils, it is
basically a dormant and compressed shoot, that given the right conditions,
will resume growth Budding. Propagation method of attaching a
bud (scion) from one plant to stem of another (rootstock); where they meet
is the bud union Buffering. Ability of soil to resist or
buffer changes, in pH or fertility Bunch
grapes. Botanically, most grapes including
the American and European, other than the muscadines Burn. Symptom when leaves turn brown,
often at edges; many causes including too much fertilizer, too much sun
when dry Burr
knots. Ugly, misshapen growths on some
apple rootstocks (such as M.26 and M.111), sometimes on branches, from the
plant trying to grow roots above ground (adventitious root initials);
cause is unknown; provides entry for borers and
diseases Bushel. Unit
of volume, equal to 8 gallons; used mainly for tree fruits; for apples
it averages about 42 pounds Buttons. Small,
misshapen fruit as with apples and peaches; often from poor spring flower
fertilization; on strawberries may be from tarnished plant bug Callus. Growth of stem or trunk over a
wound or graft union Calyx. Group of sepals below the petals
in flowers; in fruits, the opposite end from when attached to
stem Cambium.
The
thin layer of tissue, often green or greenish yellow, between the bark and
the wood on a tree; important to line up in grafting between rootstock and
scion Cane.
The main stem of many plants with small fruits such as the brambles and
currants that produce many canes; one-year old stems of grapes; woody
stems that have buds after leaves fall Cane
pruning. Pruning system for grapes,
removing whole canes and most of cordons each year, leaving only two canes
per wire (with 4 or 5 buds), and two cut back for renewal spurs (each with
a couple buds). Canker. Decayed or sunken area of bark,
often discolored, caused by disease; may have sap oozing
out Canopy. The total coverage of an area by
leaves and shoots as in trees, or the term for these above ground portions
in vines Caps. Stem ends of strawberries removed
after picking before eating Catfacing. Fruit
that is scarred, puckered, and deformed; more common on strawberries and
stone fruits; insects such as the tarnished plant bug can cause this, as
can poor pollination and environmental factors. Central
leader. Main trunk at top of tree growing
upright; also refers to type of training, to one central stem, as in
apples Certified. Young plant, generally grown from
tissue culture, certified by the propagator to be disease free, generally
of viruses Chilling. Need for some fruit to have a
certain number of hours below 45 degrees in order to flower and fruit; is
reversed by hours above 60 degrees Chlorosis. Yellowing of leaves overall,
generally from lack of nutrition such as nitrogen Clay. Type of soil that bakes hard in
sun, and stays wet after rains; difficult to work; very small mineral
particles Clone. A plant genetically the same as
its parent or another plant; seedlings are often of different clones so
useful where cross pollination is needed (adj.
clonal) Cluster. A
group of flowers or fruits, as in a cluster of
grapes Collar. Region of tree trunk from which a
side branch emerges, often slightly raised Complete
fertilizer. One contained three main elements
of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; also may contain other minor
elements; such as 5-3-4 Compost. Soil amendment made from
microorganisms breaking down organic matter Cordon. Stems (long arms) of grapes that
are horizontal, or nearly so, and 2 or more years old, from which canes or
spurs arise; also used for the training system in which horizontal stems
support fruiting spurs; a narrow column with
espaliers Core.
Central stem or stalk inside raspberry, blackberry fruit; also called
“receptacle” Cover
crop. A grain or other crop planted for
a year or two between replanting of the same crop, lessens pests and
diseases, tilled in they add organic matter; examples are buckwheat,
winter rye, oats, clover; incorporating a living crop is “green
manuring” Cracking. When
fruit skins such as of grapes split (often called “splitting”), often
after heavy rains; such shortens storage life and allows diseases to
enter; some cultivars are more resistant Crotch. Angle formed where two branches
meet, or main limb joins the trunk; v-shaped narrow crotches are weak and
not desirable as they can break with heavy fruit, snow or
wind Cross
pollination. Pollen moving from one flower to
another, with on the same plant or among flowers on different plants. If it moves between different
plants, this often results in fruit that are different from either parent,
a hybrid among the two. Crown. area at base of a herbaceous
plant where stems meet roots;
shortened stem from which leaves emerge as on strawberries; central area from which canes
emerge as with some brambles; on trees, the overhead branches and
foliage Crown
gall. A nasty bacterial disease from the
soil that enters through wounds to cause warts on roots; once there it
can’t be eliminated, so should be avoided with clean plants and proper
culture Cultivar. A “cultivated variety” originating
not from nature but by humans through a process of selection or breeding;
closely related group of plants within a species, maintained in
cultivation; most fruit selections are cultivars Curtain. Applies to grape vines, referring
to the shoots trained onto a trellis system, which often creates a
vertical effect similar to a curtain Cutting. Small piece of plant stem, rooted
to make a new plant Daylength. Length of daylight hours, affects
flowering and so fruiting of some plants such as long summer days
responsible for flowering of everbearing
strawberries Day-neutral. Cultivar of strawberry that fruits
through the season, and doesn’t respond to long days of summer as true
everbearing cultivars do Deadman. An
anchor buried in the ground for wires on a trellis, such as with
grapes. Deciduous.
(dee-SID-u-us) Shrub or tree that loses its leaves each
fall Dewberry. Group of species of trailing
blackberries Dioecious.
(di-E-shush) Literally “two houses”, referring
to male and female flowers (imperfect) on separate plants; less common in
temperate climates; examples are hollies and dates Division. Propagating
plants by dividing them into smaller sections Dolomitic
lime. Lime
used to raise the soil pH, contains magnesium Dormant
(dormancy). Stage of growth during which plant
isn’t growing, but capable of doing so given the right conditions; often
during drought or over winter Dormant
pruning. Pruning during the dormant season,
usually late winter or early spring just prior to growth
resuming. Drip
irrigation. Watering through soaker hoses or
emitters placing water at plant bases on the soil surface, least wasteful
method of watering Drip
line. the
area under a tree below the outside edge of branches; just inside this is
where many feeder roots are located, so fertilizer needed Drops. Fallen
fruit, early in the season from insect damage usually; keep picked up to
lessen pests and diseases Drupe. Type of fruit botanically (such as
cherry, peach, plum) with a central pit, a stone
fruit Espalier.
(es-pal-e-A) A tree trained
to grow flat against a trellis or wall Ethylene. (ETH-eh-lean) A “ripening gas”
given off by some fruits such as apples and bananas; one of these can be
put in a bag with unripe fruit such as kiwis to speed up their
ripening. Everbearer. Strawberry cultivar that fruits in
early and late season; often day-neutral cultivars are lumped with these
in catalogs Filament. The long tube of the male flower
part (stamen) with the anther on top Flagged
shoot. A
shoot, often terminal, that is wilted; generally from insect damage below
the wilted part, such as from the oriental fruit
moth Flesh. The edible, soft, often juicy part
of the fruit inside the skin, often called “pulp” Floricane. The second year-old cane of a
bramble that can bear fruit Frost. Icy film forming on plants and
objects when temperatures drop below freezing (32°F) and sufficient air
moisture; moderate frosts are below 28°F, and hard frosts below
24°F Fruit. The
fertilized and ripened ovary of a plant with seeds; fruit crops are
generally considered those perennial plants that produce edible fruit Fungi. Microscopic disease organisms,
reproducing by spores that can be seen with a hand lens; plural
“fungus” Fungicide. Chemical used to kill fungal
diseases Fungus.
Disease causing organism that reproduced by spores, plural
“fungi” Girdling. Removing bark, or otherwise
damaging it as by a wire or trimmer, around most or all the circumference;
result it blocking nutrient flow, damage or death of the plant; common on
fruit branches, trunks over winter by mice in grassy
areas Girdling
root. A root that grows in a circle
around the root mass, next to the trunk and choking off the flow of
nutrients, weakening and possibly eventually killing the tree; usually
arises from not loosening roots at planting of root-bound
plants Graft. Propagation method of attaching a
piece of stem (scion) from one plant to stem of another (rootstock); done
through specialized cuts matching growing layers, an area called the
"graft union" Grafting
tape.
Moisture-proof tape that can be used instead of wax in
grafting Grafting
wax.
Material used to seal grafts so they don’t dry out Gray
mold. Botrytis disease, fungus causing a
gray, fuzzy growth usually on old flowers and fruit under damp
conditions Green
manure. A
crop such as clover, oats, or winter rye plowed or tilled into the soil to
add nutrients and organic matter
Growing
season. Generally
refers to number of frost-free days Grubs.
Insect larvae mainly of beetles
(such as Japanese beetle), generally light colored with darker head,
resembling a short fat worm; most common in soil, but sometimes in fruit
(plum curculio)
Harden.
Process of plants in fall preparing for winter (also hardening
off) Hardiness. Ability of plant to withstand
temperature extremes; usually refers to cold
hardiness Hardiness
zone. Area of similar average annual
minimum winter temperatures; usually used is a map by USDA with such
zones, delineated every 10 degrees Head. Area on grape vine trunks from
which arms and canes are produced Heading
back/cut. Pruning back stems part way,
usually central ones, to promote side branching Heel-in. To temporarily bury roots of
bare-root plants in the ground, or moist material such as sawdust, stems
outward at an angle, until planting Herbicide.
Weed killer chemical Hermaphroditic. See
Perfect (flower type). Humus. Term often used to refer to
decayed organic matter such as manure, compost, peat
moss Hybrid. A
plant formed from crossing or pollination of two parent
plants Hygrometer. An
instrument used to measure the sugar content of grape juice for
winemaking Imperfect
flower. One with either male or female
parts, not both Incompatibility. In propagation, inability of scion
and rootstock to grow together; in pollination, inability of pollen of one
plant to successfully pollinate another Intergeneric. Rare crosses between different
genera of plants, such as the Shipova from the cross of a mountain ash and
pear Internode. Part of stem between the
nodes Interstem. Piece of stem, usually on apples,
grafted onto the rootstock, and onto which is grafted the cultivar scion;
used to impart other properties to the tree from the rootstock; much less
common than a single graft Invasive. A plant which spreads, but seeds
(often birds help) or roots, out of control; often used for those
spreading into natural areas displacing native
plants IPM. Integrated Pest Management,
controlling pests and diseases based on understanding and interrupting
cycles of problems, beginning with non-chemical
methods Kniffen. (NIFF-in) Type of trellis system for grapes
with two wires, roughly at 3 and 6 feet high; perhaps most common training
system, the four-arm or four-cane Kniffen has a cane on each wire, growing
laterally away from the main trunk Larva. Immature stage of some insects,
after eggs and before adults, such as caterpillar or “worm” –like; plural
larvae Lateral
branch/shoot. A
side branch that grows off of a main (scaffold) branch; often just called
lateral in case of grapes, referring to a side shoot or
cane Lateral
bud. A bud (beginning of new shoot or
flower) in the axil of where leaves or branches join a trunk or larger
branch Layering. Propagation by rooting stems of
plants, still attached, on soil Leaching.
Washing through soil of minerals, nutrients, often into ground or surface
water Leader.
Central, dominant shoot Leaf
burn. Browning of leaves, usually on
their margins, caused by insufficient water; this in turn can be caused,
in addition to drought, from root damage or too much
fertilizer Lime.
Calcium material used to raise the soil pH, making it more alkaline and
less acid Loam.
Desirable soil type with a balance of about 2/5 sand, 2/5 silt, and 1/5
clay particles; often used to refer to a good soil Lopper. Pruning tool with long handles
used for larger branches Microclimate.
Climate within a small area, often within a property such as near a
building or at the bottom of a hill MLO. Mycoplasma-like
organism, a microscopic plant parasite that lives in certain plant cells
(ones that transfer nutrients); responsible for some plant diseases Modified
leader. Shoot created by pruning by main
central leader shoot, promotes more branching; also refers to a system of
pruning, with such pruning, to reduce tree height Monoecious. (mone-E-shush) Plant with imperfect flowers,
with both male and female on the same plant Mulch. An
organic material such as pine needles or wood chips used on the soil
around plants to help conserve moisture, control weeds, keep soils
cooler Mummies. Fruit
that are shriveled, dark, with dry rot; as from the black rot fungus Native. Many definitions exist, but
generally considered a plant present in the Americas when the first
settlers arrived, and not introduced by them or later
emigrants Nematode. A microscopic worm-like parasite,
sometimes called eelworm or roundworm. Beneficial nematodes help speed the
decay of organic matter, or provide natural pest controls. Harmful species attack roots (less
common foliar nematodes tunnel in leaves), causing reduced growth or even
death. Root knot nematodes
can be a serious pest on strawberries. Node.
Part of stem (often thickened) where leaves, or other stems, join;
location of leaf axils, lateral buds Nut. Single
seeded fruit, enclosed in a hard, woody casing that must be removed before
eating; such as pecans, walnuts Open
center. Method of pruning to take
out central branches, keeping the center of the plant open into a vase
shape, allows more light into
the center, common for peaches Organic. Material that contains carbon;
more commonly refers to naturally-derived materials compared to synthetic
ones human-derived Organic
matter. Part of the soil made up of
carbon-containing substances such as decayed leaves, peat moss; important
for soil microorganisms and good soils Ovary. The swollen base of the pistil,
contains ovule(s), ripens into the fruit as it grows and
develops Overbearing. Propensity
of some fruit trees, especially precocious dwarfs, to bear too much fruit
too soon, before they are fully grown and have sufficient roots; the
results is a future weakened tree; avoid by thinning
fruit Own-root. Plants grown on their own roots,
and not grafted onto an understock; such as standard fruit trees Peat
moss. Remains of dead and decomposed
mosses from bogs, generally sphagnum; used in potting soils and as a soil
amendment for organic matter; very acidic; often just called
“peat” Perennial. Plant that grows for more than two
years (if hardy), with new growth each year; usually refers to plants that
die back to the ground then regrow in spring Perfect
flower. One
that is bisexual, has both male and female parts; otherwise “imperfect” as
in hollies, some tropical trees and dates; syn.
hermaphroditic Pergola. See
arbor. Permaculture. An approach to choosing plants and
designing landscapes, based on ecological and biological principles, to
make them sustainable, low-input for resources, functional, as well as
aesthetic Pesticide. Chemicals used to kill insects
(insecticide), mites (miticide), weeds (herbicide) pH. The
scale of soil acidity, with 7.0 being neutral, below being acidic, above
being alkaline; important since it affects nutrient uptake by
plants Phenological. (fee-no-Lah-gi-cal)
Stages of plant development, usually referring to leaves and flowers and
fruit, that vary with season and climate; science of this is “phenology” Pheromone.
(FAIR-o-mone)
Chemical an insect uses to attract another, most often being powerful sex
pheromones females use to attract males; synthetic ones are used in pest
control to disrupt mating and other aspects of life
cycles Physiological.
(fizz-e-o-LAH-gi-cal) A problem caused by an
environmental condition or culture, and not by a disease organism;
examples are browned leaves from too much sun or too little water, or
stunting from herbicide misuse Pinching. Type of heading cut, removing the
tip of developing shoots;
applies to very tender growth that can be pinched out with tips of
fingers Pistil. Female
part of the flower, composed of stigma on top that receives the pollen,
the style tube, and the enlarged ovary at the bottom Pit. Hardened central casing around a
seed, such as in cherries, peaches, plums; may be called a “stone” as in
stone fruits; botanically a “pyrene” Pole
pruner. Pruning tool on the end of a long
pole, used to prune high branches; pole saw is a version with saw on the
end for larger branches; often the two are combined Pollen. The
orange, yellow or other colored powder on flower anthers containing the
male cells, responsible for fertilizing flowers to make seeds and fruit
(that are there for the seeds) Pollenize. To cross pollinate one
flower with another, generally from between different plants; important
with many fruits; pollination is the process Pollinator. Whatever transfers pollen among
flowers—bees, wind, growers Pollinizer. The plant or cultivar that
produces the pollen, usually to cross pollinate flowers on another
plant Pome
fruit. Type of fleshy fruit that has a
core surrounding several seeds, such as apple Precocious. (pre-CO-shush) Bearing fruit at a
young age relative to others (n. precocity) Preemergent. Herbicide or weed killer that
kills weed seeds before they emerge, as they
germinate Primocane. A first year cane or stem of a
bramble, generally vegetative only and doesn’t bear fruit (except in
fall-bearing, sometimes called primocane-bearing, cultivars)
Protoandrous. Pollen
in male flowers is shed before stigma in female flowers is receptive, as
in Type 1 pecans Protogynous. Stigma in female flowers is
receptive before pollen in male flowers is shed, as in Type 2
pecans Provenance. The difference between adaptation to
climate among members of the same species that originated from different
climate regions Prune. To cut off branches selectively; with grapes,
the removal in winter (dormant pruning) of past fruiting wood and
excessive growth Pulp. See flesh Receptacle. See Core Renewal
pruning. Removing older stems, usually two
years old or more, to promote new shoots and growth Renewal
spur. A cane on grapes cut back to a
couple of buds, to be used as the future canes (or renewal canes) for the
following year Ringing. Like
scoring, only removing a wider section of bark as with a pruning saw Rootstock. Plant onto which another is budded
or grafted; often imparts vigor, hardiness, height or habit, and other
traits; may be called understock Rotation. Planting of a different crop, or
cover crop, in an area for 2 to 3 years before replanting, to lessen
insects and diseases Runner.
Term mostly seen with strawberries, referring to stems coming off the main
plant from which new plants arise at the tips; a
“stolon” Run-off. Spraying
until it drips from the leaves, providing thorough coverage Runt
out. Tendency
of many spur-type apples to begin producing a small crop of fruit,
particularly if on dwarfing rootstocks Russet. Type
of reddish brown skin that is rough, with natural browning (not from rot),
common on some apples and pears; similar to a russet potato; fruit of some
cultivars (such as Golden Delicious apple) can get russet due to injury
from many causes Rust. Disease causing small spots,
usually orange, on stems and leaves Sand. A course textured soil particle,
larger relative to clay particles, a component of many
soils Sanitation. Keeping grassy areas mown and
areas around plants clean of old leaves and fruit, and weeds, where
insects and diseases can live and remain over
winter. Scaffold. A main or primary branch off a
trunk that helps form the canopy of trees, and from which may arise
lateral branches; important in pruning many fruit
trees Scion. Part of the desired plant, usually
a small stem section, grafted onto another (rootstock)
Scoring. Cutting
through the lower trunk bark, not into the wood, making a slit as with a
linoleum knife; used to disrupt the flow of nutrients, promoting less
shoot growth and more flower bud formation, on trees such as apples Scuppernong. A
muscadine grape with light pink to bronze skin, rather than black Seedling. Plant grown from seeds (sexual
propagation) rather than from grafting or cuttings Self-fertile. A plant that is able to pollinate
itself (either male and female parts in same flower, or male and female
flowers on same plant), so bear fruit without cross
pollination Self-fruitful. Another way of saying
self-fertile Self-sowing. When a plant disperses seeds,
producing new plants adjacent, often giving the appearance of being
perennial, sometimes making the plant invasive Self-sterile. Opposite to self-fertile, can’t
pollinate itself so needs another plant for cross pollination in order to
bear fruit Shear. To cut off uniformly as when
shaping a hedge, as with pruning shears which resemble large serrated
scissors; compare to pruning Shoot. Green growth or branch that arises
from a bud; can be on branches, trunks, canes or other plant parts;
produces leaves, may produce fruit too Shothole. When
a disease causes leaf spots, which turn brown then fall out leaving a
hole, resembling leaves being shot Shuck.
Dried
floral remnants in peaches surrounding the newly forming fruit; used as a
stage of development when this splits Sidedress. add
fertilizer along the side of a row of plants Skeletonize. When
an insect, such as sawfly larvae, eat leaves between the veins, leaving a
skeleton appearance Skin. The outer covering of fruits which
may be eaten for many, although some like to peel them off, and other
fruits such as the brown fuzzy kiwi need to be peeled
first. Slipskin. Type of grape that when skin is
squeezed inner pulp slips out; common in muscadines Slow
release. Fertilizer released over a long
period, generally months not weeks; if according to time or temperature it
is more accurately a controlled-release Soaker
hose. Permeable hose through which water
drips along its length, providing water at plant bases, form of drip
irrigation Soil
type. See soil texture Soil
texture. Proportion or ratio of sizes of
soil particles, or of sand, silt, and clay; see loam as an example;
sometimes called soil type, but this refers to a soil classification
Soilless. Growing medium not containing
soil; often peat moss and other components such as pine bark, perlite, or
vermiculite Solarization.
(so-lar-eh-ZA-shun) Heating of soil under a plastic sheet by sunlight in
order to kill nematodes and weed seeds Sour. acidic
soil pH Splitting. See
Cracking Sport. Mutation
that is propagated clonally, or vegetatively, to get it to reproduce; may
relate to fruit color, tree shape, leaf variegation, or other trait; often
seen with apple selections, where they are called types or strains Spur. A short side-branch off of lateral
or scaffold branches, that bears fruit; common in tree fruits such as
apples, cherries; with apples, some cultivars such as the Delicious have
spur and non-spur types; in grapes, a cane cut back to usually one or two
buds, and less than six, that will be what produces the
fruit Spur
blight. A
disease causing small, dark spots on lower parts of raspberry canes that
turn canes brown and abort flowers; a problem more in rainy seasons Spur
pruning. Grape pruning system, cutting back
fruiting canes each winter, leaving only 2 to 3 buds on each spur, and
leaving the main branches (cordons) along wires Stamen. Male
part of the flower, composed of anther on top with the pollen, and the
filament tube Sterilization. Making surfaces free of disease,
such as dipping pruners in a solution of one part bleach to 9 parts water,
in between pruning cuts. Stigma. The top of the female part of the
flower (pistil) that receives the pollen Stolon.
See runner Stone
fruit. Fruits such as cherries, peaches,
plums with a central pit or “stone”—fruits known as drupes
botanically Stooling. Propagating
a plant by piling soil or compost around the base, in which new roots form
from stems, allowing the plant to be divided the following spring Strain. See “sport” Strig. Delicate,
drooping flower stem several inches long, on currants and gooseberries;
may refer to the fruit cluster too Strike. See
“flagged shoot” Style. The tube of the female flower part
(pistil) through which the pollen grows from stigma to ovary Sucker.
Shoots arising away from plants, from buds on underground stems or roots;
gives rise to spreading; may be undesirable if from an understock on
grafted or budded plants; also may arise from old woody growth, as the
base of a trunk; see “water sprout” Sweet. alkaline
soil pH, see Basic Table
grape. A grape grown for eating fresh or
making jams and pies, rather
than for squeezing into wine or juice Tendril. Modified curling shoot that vines,
such as grapes, use to attach to and hang onto wires or trellises; arises
opposite a leaf on a stem Thinning
(to thin). Removing or pruning out branches
in order to allow more light and air circulation within a plant canopy;
also refers to removing some fruit in order to allow remaining ones to
ripen more fully, may be done by hand or chemicals; type of pruning cut
removing a whole limb, rather than just "heading
back" Tilth. Refers
to the condition of the soil structure and nutrients; a loose, friable
soil as after tilling, with good water drainage and aeration, is said to
have good tilth Tipping. Term sometimes used to refer to
pruning out the tip of a stem or shoot, or “pinching”, often removing 2 to
6 inches Tissue
culture. Propagation
of a plant starting with only a few cells or piece of tissue, grown in a
sterile medium of growth substances and hormones Top-dress. add
fertilizer or compost to the top of the soil around
plants Topping. Shearing a tree or plant straight
across in a level horizontal plane, which is fine for hedges but little
else; the temptation of many when a tree gets too
tall Topworking. Grafting a new cultivar onto the
limbs of a tree, rather than just to a lower trunk of a rootstock with no
top Training. Manipulation through pruning and
physical means (tying for instance), to position and spread branches into
desired locations and directions; used to develop stronger branch angles,
and to allow more light; with grapes, the positioning of young growth on a
trellis system Trellis. See arbor. Trunk. Primary stem, often wide and
usually upright, of plants to which branches are attached; permanent and
woody, aboveground; vines may have several trunks Type. often
seen with several apple cultivars, see “sport”; may generally refer to
tree size or use Understock. See rootstock Variety. A
botanical designation for closely related plants within a species, sharing
similar traits such as flowering or habit; commonly, but incorrectly,
often applied to cultivars which arise from, or are maintained through,
cultivation Vegetative. Non-flowering growth as in stems
and leaves; also refers to type of propagation not by seeds, such as from
tissue culture or cuttings or layering Veraison.
(vay-ray-ZON ) Stage of grape ripening when berries begin coloring and
softening Vermiculite. Heat-expanded mica, gray material,
used in soilless media Verticillium.
(ver-ti-SILL-e-um) Common disease on strawberries and brambles, and
solanaceous vegetables such as tomatoes; more seen in cool, humid seasons
and areas; causes plants and canes to discolor and die; lives in the soil
for many years, hence crop rotation is important; no effective cure other
than elimination and avoiding Vigor. Refers to amount and rate of
growth; relative among cultivars, climates, care Virus. Disease-causing organism,
submicroscopic, needing living cells in order to grow; no chemical
controls for as with most other diseases Vole. Field
mouse, similar to a mouse only stouter, shorter tail and ears Understock. Another term for rootstock onto
which a desirable plant is budded or grafted Water
sprouts.
Vigorous upright stems, often stimulated from major pruning cuts; see
“sucker” Whip. A young tree with only a central
stem, side branches pruned off to promote vigorous upward
growth
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