Planting is simple, but not easy. As with any other industries, agriculture and gardening have its own terminologies you need to know.
Here are some of the basic terms you will hear us (and other people in the industry) use all the time.
1) Life Stages
Plants undergo different stages. Different sources will say different things, but they generally fall under these four stages: seed, germination, growth, and harvest.
- The seed stage doesn’t need to be explained in detail. Basically, this is the stage in the plant’s growth cycle that is responsible for reproduction of the plant.
- The germination stage is where the plant grows from the seed. In the right environment (which we’ll discuss below), seeds start to produce the familiar parts including roots, stems, and leaves.
- The vegetativestage occurs after the plant has sprouted and produced its first green tendrils. This happens around 5-60 days after sowing your seeds. This will all depend on the type and kind of plant you're trying to grow. As a rule, the bigger the plant you're trying to grow, the longer it takes for it to reach the vegetative stage. During this stage, the plant matures, produces more foliage and becomes taller, bigger, and healthier.
The flowering stageis the time your plants ready itself to bear fruits or show some flowers.
The harvest stageis when you reap what you sow. For edible plants, particularly herbs,this is when the leaves or foliage are just the right size for picking. Forfruits or vegetables, it is when the fruits are big and ripe enough for consumption.
2) Sprout / Sprouting
This is the process of germination and is often used interchangeably. When the seeds start to grow its roots, stems, and leaves, they are often called sprouts.
3) Cotyledon
Technically, the cotyledon is the embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants. They are usually mistaken for the true leaves of the plants. Here's an image to further explain.
4) Tendrils
A slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines around any suitable support.
5) True Leaves
As the name implies, these are the true leaves of the plant. Here at MNLGrowkits, when 4 true leaves appear, that is the start of the growth stage. In the image above, the true leaves are the ones above the cotyledons.
6) Water
This is simply a reminder that plants need water to survive. Since you are growing a plant, it needs water to survive. Too little or too much water affects the plant. There are 2 things you need to keep in mind here:
- Damp / Moist -- this is the ideal environment for the growth of healthy plants. Keep the soil damp or moist. You will know this when you stick a finger 1” deep in the soil. If it feels cold and damp then it’s just right. If it feels dry and tight, it means you need to water your plants.
- Wet -- However, if it feels cold and when you pull out your finger and it is covered in too much soil, that means you overwatered. When this happens, don’t panic. Just let it absorb the excess water first before watering them again. All our grow kits use organic coconut husk pots that is very ideal in making sure that your plants don’t drown. While our pots lets excess water to be drained-off naturally, it’s better to practice correct watering habits. :)
7) Sun exposure
Sun is required for photosynthesis. If you forgot, that is the process by which plants create their food using carbon dioxide and the nutrients in the soil. Without proper sunlight, the plant won’t be healthy.
8) Fertilizer
This is the plant’s source of nutrients. After some time, the soil where your plant is will have absorb the nutrients already. Again, without these nutrients, the plant can wither, look lanky, or die.. So, it is up to you to replenish these nutrients. And one of the easiest way to do so is to add fertilizers, preferably organic.
These are just some of the terms you need to know to get started with your first plant. Also, take note that this is an overly simplified version as there are a lot of factors to consider when growing a plant. But knowing these basic terms and techniques will better equip you in growing your first plant using our grow kits.
Do you have questions? Don’t hesitate to let us know by replying to this email or sending us a message on social media.
FAQs
All plants need space to grow, the right temperature, light, water, air, nutrients, and time.
What are the 7 things a plant needs? ›
All plants need these seven things to grow: room to grow, the right temperature, light, water, air, nutrients, and time.
What are the 5 things to make a plant grow? ›
Plants have specific needs - light, air, water, nutrients, and space - to survive and reproduce.
What are the 30 plants? ›
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...
Can you list 10 things made out of plant? ›
Plants provide food in the form of fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, and seeds. As a product of photosynthesis, green plants provide oxygen. Plants are also used as building materials (timber), textiles (cotton, paper), medicine (aloe), biofuels (ethanol), and scents (perfumes).
What are the three basic needs of a plant? ›
Plants need light, air AND water in order to make the food/energy [glucose (a form of sugar)] that they need to survive and thrive. Suggestion - Use the following diagram and video to review following discussion on Light, Air, Water & Nutrients.
What are the 3 essential things needed for plant growth? ›
The primary macronutrients that plants need are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These three nutrients are essential for plant growth and are often referred to as NPK. Nitrogen is crucial for the production of proteins, chlorophyll, and nucleic acids.
What are the 4 basic parts of a plant list them and their purpose? ›
The basic parts of most land plants are roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. The function of each plant parts is described below. ► Roots anchor the plants in the soil and absorb nutrients and water that are needed by the rest of the plant.
How do plants grow 5th grade? ›
Lesson Summary
With warmth, oxygen, and good food from the soil, the seed will pop open and sprout. Once the leaves and roots grow, the plant can go through the process of photosynthesis, the process that plants use to breathe and to make food using sunlight.
How do you grow a plant in 6 steps? ›
Practical Exercise – Grow your own plants from seeds
- Step 1: Choose Your Seeds: Firstly, you need to decide what type of flowers you want to grow. ...
- Step 2: Gather Your Equipment. ...
- Step 3: Prepare the Soil. ...
- Step 4: Sow Your Seeds. ...
- Step 5: Provide Proper Care. ...
- Step 6: Transplant Your Seedlings.
Environmental factors that affect plant growth include light, temperature, water, humidity and nutrition. You can easily manipulate photoperiod to stimulate flowering.
What are the 7 requirements for plant growth? ›
All plants need these seven things to grow: room to grow, the right temperature, light, water, air, nutrients, and time.
How do you apply 10 10 10 to plants? ›
Evenly spread the fertilizer between the two circles, avoiding application close to the trunk. If the tree is in a lawn, apply when the grass is dry. Water to moisten the soil and distribute the fertilizer to a 12- to 18-inch depth. Apply in early spring or autumn when roots are actively growing.
How to remove grass for a garden? ›
Begin by watering the area thoroughly to soften the soil. Working in rows, use an edger or spade to score and break up the lawn throughout the area. Use a flat shovel to remove the grass. Be sure to remove at least the top 2 to 3 inches of soil and all of the roots.
What plants need 10 10 10? ›
10-10-10 is called an all-purpose fertilizer because it can be used on almost any type of outdoor plant, including vegetables, shrubs, trees, flowers, lawns, and houseplants. Generally, it can be applied to any plant that doesn't need one of the three macronutrients in higher amounts.
What are the 16 elements plants need in there specific order to grow? ›
Sixteen elements are considered essential nutrients for plants. These are carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo) and chlorine (Cl).
What are the 5 plant growth substances? ›
There are five groups of plant-growth-regulating compounds: auxin, gibberellin (GA), cytokinin, ethylene, and abscisic acid (ABA). For the most part, each group contains both naturally occurring hormones and synthetic substances.
