Fogger – Nozzles with very small openings that break water up into very small, almost fog-like particles of mist spray. Used in propagating of cuttings to prevent loss of moisture from leaves. Generally controlled by time clock to give intermittent spray. Many outdoor plant enthusiast in areas where dry summers would harm azaleas, rhododendrons and […]

Compost – A decomposing mixture of vegetable matter-leaves, grass clippings, weeds which can be used as a fertilizer. Gardeners usually build compost this way: first a 6- to 12-inch layer of vegetable matter, then an inch or so of soil; sprinkle this layer with a natural fertilizer like cow manure and water thoroughly. Alternate layers […]

Chlorosis – Lack of green in a leaf, caused by nutritional failure. It is most frequently caused by lack of a plant’s ability to take up iron. ln severe cases the entire leaf except the veins turns yellow. Often there is enough iron in the soil, but it’s not available to the plant. Some “plant […]

Chelate – Several of the minor nutrients such as iron may be prevalent in the soil but unavailable to the plant because they are locked in, fixed-held so tightly to the soil particles that they are unavailable to the plant. When a chelating agent is added to soil, the iron in the soil (or other […]

Bonsai – In the true Japanese sense, bonsai is a traditionally-defined method of planting and training plants to dwarf them in all parts so that in miniature they have the character of the mature plant. In the language of the American gardener, the word is used to describe a way of pruning, shaping and potting […]

Aerosol – When compressed gas is released into a liquid in a tight container and forced through a small opening, the resulting aerosol spray is made up of microscopic particles that float in the air and slowly settle. You know these packaged as aerosol bombs.