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Resources for Growing Quality Medical Marijuana

Growers Glossary

By Firsttimer

A

ABA- abscisic acid
Abaxial- oriented away from the stem meristem; lower surface
Accessory Cannabinoids- cannabinoids (CBC, CBD, CBN) which probably interact with the primary cannabinoids (THC) to alter their effect
Accessory Pigment- pigment other then the primary pigment (clorophll) which collects solar energy
Acclimatize- become adapt to new enviromental conditions
Achene- a hard-shelled seed encased by a simple thin closed shell
Adaxial- oriented toward the shoot meristem
Adnate- attached at the margin
Adventitous Roots- roots that appear spontaneously from stems and old roots
Alternate Phyllotaxy- leaves appear singly in a loose staggered spiral along the stem
Aneuploid- an organism with an unbalanced set of chromosomes (i.e., 2n-1 or 2n+1)
Anthesis- the time of maturation of a flower
Anthocyanin Pigment- an accessory pigment, usually red or purple
Anticlinal- perpendicular to the surface
Apical- tip or top position
Arborescent- tree-like
Asexual Propagation- vegetative reproduction by cloning, producing offspring with the genotype identical to that of the single parent
Auxins- a class of plant hormones

B

Back-crossing- crossing of an offspring with one of the parents to reinforce a parental trait
Bract- small reduced leaflet in Cannabis that appears below a pair of calyxes
Bulbous Trichome- small stalkless glandular trichome

C

Callus- undifferentiated group of cells, which under proper conditions will differentiate to produce roots and stems
Calyx- five-part carpel structure of the staminate flower; or, five-part fused tubular sheath surrounding the ovule and pistils of the pistillate flower
Cambium- layer of cells which divides and differentiates into xylem and phloem
Cannabaceae- family to which only Cannabis (marijuana) and Humulus (hops) belong
Cannabinoid- cyclic hydrocarbon which is found only in Cannabis, derived from a terpene molecule and a cyclic acid molecule
Cannabinoid Profile- ratio and levels of major cannabinoids found in a particular individual or strain of Cannabis
Cannabis- genus name of marijuana or hemp
Capitate-sessile Trichome- resin-producing glandular trichome with a stalk
Capitate-stalked Trichome- resin-producing glandular trichome without a stalk
"Captan"- a commercial fungicide
Carotenoid Pigment- an accessory pigment, usually yellow, orange, red or brown
Carrier- a plant infected with a virus but exhibiting no symptoms due to its high resistance
CBC- cannabichromene
CBD- cannabidiol
CBDV- cannabidiverol
CBG- cannabigerol
CBN-cannabinol
CBNV- cannabiverol
CBT- cannabitriol
CCY- cannabicyclol
Cellular Cloning- asexual propagation of new individuals from small groups of single cells, as distinct from layers or cuttings
Centripetally- outward from the center
Cerebral- pertaining to the mind or head, mental
Chemotype- a specific chemical phenotype which in Cannabis is usually based on ratios of cannabinoids
Chemovars- cultivars or races of Cannabis defined by their particular chemical composition
Chlorosis- yellowing of plant tissues resulting from the breakdown of chlorophyll
Chromosome- strain of DNA-protein complex in the nucleus of a cell along which genes are found
Clone- an asexually produced offspring preserving parental genotype
Colchicine- a dangerous chemical used to induce polyploid mutations in plants
Cotyledons- seed leaves which are present in the embryo and first appear upon germination
Critical Daylenght- maximum daylenght which will induce flowering
Crossing- mating of two organisms
Crossing Over- switching entire pieces of genetic material between two chromosomes
Crystaloids- crystalline globules in the cytoplasm
Cultivar- a variety of plant found only in commercial cultivation
Cuticle- covering of plant wax on the surface of the epidermis
Cuttage- rooting a piece of stem (cutting) removed from a parent plant
Cytokinins- a class of plant growth substances (hormones)

D

Dagga- African Cannabis
Damping-off soil-borne fungus disease which attacks seedlings and young plants
Decarboxylation- loss of a carboxyl (COOH) group from a molecule
Decussate Phyllotaxy- leaves appear in opposite pairs along the stem
Dehiscence- release of pollen from the stamens upon opening of the staminate flower
Differentiation- (1) process of mixing heterozygous gene pools by crossing to promote variation in the offspring. (2) development by a plant of specialized tissues, e.g., roots, calyxes, pistils
Dihybrid Cross- a hybrid cross for two traits
Dioecious- staminate and pistillate organs develop on separate plants
Diploid- the 2n or vegetative condition where each cell has the usual two sets of homologous chromosomes( in Cannabis 2n=20)
Disinfectant- a treatment that kills disease organisms on the exterior of the seed or plant
Distal- oriented away from
Domesticated- cultvated or spontaneously appearing in a cultivated area
Dominant Trait- the trait which is expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygous gene pair, indicated by a capital letter, i.e., "W" is dominant; "w" is recessive
Drip Irrigation- irrigation system which delivers water to individual plants in small amounts at regular, frequent intervals

E

Ecosystem- community of organisms living interdependently in the physical environment
Ecotype- a strain of plant adapted to a specific niche in the ecosystem
Embolism- bubble of air in the transpiration stream of a cutting
Endosperm- nutrient tissue contained within the seed
Endothecium- subepidermail layer of the pollen sack wall
Endozoic- internal
Epicotyl- stem between the cotyledons and the first pair of true leaves
Epidermal Layer- outer layer of plant tissue
Epigamic- not controlled by genes
Epinasty- downward curling of cotyledons and leaves at night
Essential Oils- compounds with strong aromas contained in the secreted resins of plants
Etiolation- growth of a plant in total darkness to increase the chances of root initiation

F

F1 Generation- first filial generation, the offspring of two P1 (parent) plants
F2 Generation- second filial generation, resulting from a cross between two F1 plants
F1 hybrid- heterozygous first filial generation
Fertilization- the union of genetic material from the pollen (1n) with genetic material from the ovule (1n), restoring the dipliod condition (2n)
Fixed Trait- a homozygous trait
Floral Cluster- group of flowers

G

GA3- gibberellic acid
Gamete- haploid (1n) sex cell of the ovule or pollen, capable of initiating the formation of a new individual by combining with another gamete of the opposite sex
Ganja- Indian word for marijuana derived from pistillate floral clusters of Cannabis
Gene- element of the germ plasm controlling the transmission of a hereditary characteristic
Gene Interaction- the control of a trait by two or more genes
Gene Linkage- transfer of gene pairs for separate traits together in associated groups instead of assorting independently
Gene Pool- collection of possible gene combinations
Genotype- combination of genes present on chromosomes in the nucleus of each cell, which through environmental influences determines the outwardly observable phenotype
Germ Plasm- genetic material contained within seeds or pollen
Gibberellin- a class of plant growth hormone
Girdling- removing a strip of bark or crushing the stem of a plant to restrict the flow of water, nutrients, and plant products
Glandular Trichome- plant hair which has a secretory function
GLS- gas-liquid chromatography
Globoids- drops of oil or resin in the cytoplasm
Gootee- ancient Chinese air layering technique
Greenhouse- a structure which offers some environmental control to promote plant growth
Gross Morphology- general growth form of an organism
Gross Phenotype- composite phenotype of an organism

H

Haploid- condition, as in gametes, when each cell has one-half the usual number of chromosomes found in vegetative cells; abbreviated 1n (in Cannabis 1n=10)
Hardening-off slow adaptation of indoor or greenhouse plants to an outside environment
Hashish- a drug formed of resin heads of glandular trichomes shaken or rubbed from floral clusters, pressed together, and shaped
Heliotropic- sun-loving, turning toward the sun
Hemp- Cannabis fibers or fiber-producing type of Cannabis
Herbivory- feeding on plants by animals
Hermaphrodite- an individual from a dioecious strain of predominantly one sex which develops floral organs of the other sex
Heteroblastic- variously shaped
Heterozygous- the condition when the two genes for a trait are not the same on each member of a pair of homologous chromosomes; individuals heterozygous for a trait are indicated by an "Aa" or "aA" notation and are not true-breeding
Homologous Chromosomes- members of the same chromosome pair
Homologs- similarly structured chemical compounds
Homozygous- the condition existing when the genes for a trait are the same on both chromosomes of a homologous pair; individuals homozygous for a trait are indicated by "AA" or "aa" and are true-breeding
Hormone- plant hormones or growth substances are chemicals produced by the plants in very small quantities which control the growth and development of the plant five or more classes of hormones are recognized and they appear to interact in almost all phases of development
Hybrid- a heterozygous individual resulting from crossing two separate strains
Hybrid Vigor- increased vigor in the offspring resulting from the hybridization of two gene pools
Hybridization- process of mixing differing gene pools by crossing to produce offspring of combined parental characteristics
Hypocotyl- section of stem arising from the embryo below the cotyledons
Hypodermal Layer- middle layer of plant tissue

I

Incomplete Dominance- neither gene of a pair is dominant
Indexing- detecting of a virus carrier by grafting tissues or injecting vascular fluids into an uninfected clone
Inductive Photoperiod- daylength required to induce flowering
Inflorescence- group of flowers
Intrusive Growth- growth through a medium
Isodiametric- having equal diameters

K

Kif- Moroccan word for Hashish and Cannabis

L

Laticifer- secretory organ containing latex
Layerage- development of roots on a stem (layer) while it is still attached to and supported nutritionally by the parent plant
Leach- wash from the soil
Leafing- removal of leaves
Lignification- hardening of the stem by the formation of lignin, a tough polymer
Limbing- removal of lower limbs
Lipophilic- a chemical environment in which fat-like components are easily soluble
Lumina- inner cell spaces enclosed by the cell walls

M

Manicuring- removing leaves from floral clusters
Marijuana- Cannabis, originally a Spanish word
Megaspore- seed
Meiosis- reduction division of a diploid (2n) cell resulting in two haploid (1n) daughter cells as in pollen and ovule formation
Meristem- area of a cell division and growth, i.e., shoot tip, root tip, and cambium
Meristem Pruning- removal of shoot tip to limit height and promote branching
Methyl- a 1-carbon group
Micron- one-millionth of a meter
Microspore- pollen
Mil- one-thousandth of an inch
Mitosis- division of a diploid (2n) cell resulting in two diploid (2n) daughter cells as in normal vegetative growth
Monoecious- staminate and pistillate organs develop on the same plant
Monohybrid Cross- a hybrid cross for only one trait
Mutation- an inheritable change in a gene

N

Necrosis- death and discoloration of tissue
Nitrification- conversion by soil organisms of atmospheric nitrogen to a form which can be used by the plant
Nucellus- tissue within the ovule

O

Ontogeny- course of development
Organelles- structures within a single cell
Ovule- section of the female flower containing the haploid (1n) gamete which will form a seed upon fertilization

P

P1 Generation- first parental generation, the parents crossed to form F1 or F1-hybrid offspring
Parthenocarpy- the production of seeds without fertilization
Pathogen- an organism causing a specific disease
Pedicel- point of attachment of staminate or pistillate calyx
Pentyl- a 5-carbon group
Perianth- outer seed coat, displaying seed color and pattern
Pericarp- protective outer seed covering or shell
Periclinal- parallel to the surface
Perisperm- nutrient region of the seed
pH- a measurement of acidity-alkalinity : 1 is most acid, 14 is most alkaline, and 7 is neutral
Phenotype- outwardly measurable characteristics of an organism determined by the interaction of the individual genotype with the environment
Phloem- vascular tissue of the root, stem, and leaf through which water and biosynthetic plant products such as sugars, carbohydrates, and growth substances are translocated
Photoperiod- lighted portion of daily light cycle
Photosynthates- products of photosynthesis
Photosynthesis- formation of carbohydrates by green plants from sunlight, CO2, and H2O
Phyllotaxy- the pattern of growth and form of leaves along a stem
Phytotron- an indoor area with extensive environmental controls for the experimental growth of plants
Pistil- paired female organs for pollen reception made up of a fused stigma and style
Pistillate- female
Plasmodesmata- pores in the cell walls between adjoining cells
Pollination- pollen from a stamen landing on the pistil of a flower
Polyembryony- the presence of more than one embryo in an ovule
Polyhybrid Cross- a hybrid cross for more than one trait
Polymerization- linking of small molecules together into a chain or network
Polymorphous- variously shaped
Polypliod- the condition of multiple sets of chromosomes within one cell (e.g., 3n or 4n)
Primordia- tiny shoots (usually floral) which first appear behind the stipules along the main stalk and limbs
Propyl- a 3-carbon group
Protectant- a long-term treatment to kill disease organisms present in the soil around the seed or plant
Protoplast- cell contents
Pruning- removal of living tissues such as meristems or small limbs from plants
Psychoactive- affecting the consciousness or psyche
Purebred- a homozygous individual resulting from the inbreeding of a strain

R

Radicle- embryonic root tip
Recessive Trait- the trait which is not expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygous recessive gene pair but only expressed in a homozygous recessive gene pair
Recombination- formation in offspring of a new gene pair different from those pairs found in either parent
Rejuvenation- growth on a mature, flowered plant such that the new growth is juvenile, prefloral limbs
Retting- the breakdown of tissues and epidermal layer that join fibers into bundles so that the individual fibers are freed
Roguing- removal of undesirable plants from the population

S

Scion- stem shoot tip used in a graft
Selection- choosing of favorable offspring as parents for future generations
Senescence- the decline towards death of an organism
Sessile- attached flush with the surface
Sex Limited- a trait expressed by only one sex
Sex Linkage- genes occurring on the sex chromosomes
Sexual Propagation- reproduction by recombination of genetic material from two parents through the union of two gametes
Sinsemilla- the phrase sin semilla is Spanish, originating from Mexico, and means literally "without seed"; the English word sinsemilla means mature seedless pistillate marijuana grown by removing male plants to prevent pollination
Soil Atmosphere- gaseous portion of the soil
Soil Solution- liquid portion of the soil
Somatic- pertaining to the physical body
Sporogenous Tissue- tissue related to the development of spores (pollen)
Sport- plant or portion of a plant which carries and expresses a spontaneous mutation
Stamen- male pollen-producing organs consisting of two parts: anther and filament
Stamenoia- excessive and premature concern on the part of a cultivator that staminate plants might pollinate the precious sinsemilla crop
Staminate- male, possessing stamens
Stipule- reduced bractlet on either side of the petiole at the stem and subtending each calyx
Stock- stem section with roots attached used in a graft
Stomate- pore on the epidermal surface of a plant which allows the interchange of air and water vapor
Strain- a line of offspring derived from common ancestors
Subtends- situated below
Symplast- continuous cytoplasm shared by several cells
Symplastic Growth- growth accompanied by the growth of surrounding tissues
Systemic Roots- roots that appear along the developing root system originating in the embryo

T

Tapetum- inner nourishing layer of the pollen sac wall
Terpene- organic molecule of strong aroma
Testa- covering surrounding the embryo of the seed
Tetrahedral- grouped in four or with four sides
Tetralocular- having four sections as in an anther
Tetraploid- having four sets of chromosomes (4n) in contrast to the usual diploid (2n) condition
THC- tetrahydrocannabinol
THCV- tetrahydrocannabiverol
TLC- thin-layer chromatography
Top Mulching- surface dressing of soil with compost or other organic material to supply nutrients, add root space, and reduce water loss by evaporation
Trace- small area of vascular tissue connecting two like protions of the vascular system such as stem xylem and leaf xylem
Trellising- method of shape and size alteration through physical restriction of growth (i.e.; tying plant down to a wire frame)
Trichome- plant hair
Triploid- having three sets of chromosomes (3n) in contrast to the usual diploid (2n) condition
True-breeding- homozygous for the particular trait or traits

V

Vacuole- space within a cell separate from the cytoplasm

W

Whorled Phyllotaxy- three or more limbs appear per node
Wild- weedy, escaped, naturalized, or indigenous

X

Xylem- vascular tissue of the roots, stems, and leaves through which water and nutrients flow upward from the roots