Plant Nutrients and Pruning

Germination

The first stage of plant growth

Diseased

Branches that are this might come back, but it is better for the overall health of the tree to prune them off

Nitrogen Deficiency

Symptoms of this include chlorosis of the leaves

Cuticle

Succulents have a thick coating of this to aid in water retention and minimize water loss during transpiration

Water

This carries nutrients from the soil, into the xylem of the plant

Balance

When pruning, considering cuts from both sides of the tree importance to achieve this; sometimes you leave some smaller branches behind to see where they grow

Nitrogen

This primary nutrient is listed first in a guaranteed analysis

Phosphorous

This element is listed second in a guaranteed analysis

Indifferent

Plants that only need to reach a certain stage of vegetative growth to begin flowering are given this term

Elemental

Term for a fertilizer that just contains one plant nutrient

Temperature

This condition has effects on plants; think of your planting zones and what is the biggest factor in why they differ

Direction

Branches that are crossed or growing back across themselves and are growing in the wrong... should be pruned

Air

This is needed to carry carbon dioxide into the stoma of plants so PSN can occur

Fertilizer

Term for a material that is used to provide plants with the nutrients they nee

Transpiration

The process by which water vapor is released from the plant, through the stoma

Stoma

Small pores in the plant that are used for gas and water exchange

Fibrous Roots

This type of root system readily absorbs liquid fertilizers

Sunlight

This is needed for the chlorophyll to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose

Topping

Doing this to a tree is forbidden under arboreal law and an arborist could lose their license for doing it

Thinning

These types of cuts are made to remove excess branches from a tree, and give it a cleaner appearance

Annual

A plant that completes its lifecycle in one year - germination, vegetative growth, and flowering/seed production

Soil

Plants put their roots down here and extract nutrients to be used by the plant

Reproductive

The stage of plant growth that includes flowering

Legumes

Plants that fix nitrogen

Branch Collar

When cutting off larger branches, it is important to leave this behind. It will encourage the cut to eventually seal

Chlorosis

Term for the insufficient production of chlorophyll

Vegetative

The second stage of plant growth

Micronutrients

B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo are these types of nutrients; they are necessary, but not needed in large amounts

Trace

Al, F, Ni, and Na are needed in these amounts; barely any

Tap Roots

These types of roots prefer a granular fertilizer that stays in the soil longer, as they absorb slower

Potassium

This element is listed last in a guaranteed analysis

Turgor

Water used in the plant to sustain structure (pushing out on cell walls to keep the plant upright) is under this type of pressure. 90% of a plant is water because of this need

Irrigation

Sprinkler, drip, and floods are methods of this

Xylem

This plant vascular tissue conducts water and nutrients in from the soil, and up the plant to be used in the PSN process

Photoperiod

Most plants require a certain length to initiate flower set

Hardy

Plants that tolerate cold air and frost are given this term

Active

Materials in the fertilizer that are actually nutrient based are referred to as this type of ingredient

Short Day

Plants that require a long dark period are referred to by this ter

Secondary

Calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are these type of nutrients

Influence

Physical, chemical, and moisture characteristics... the use of fertilizers

Blooming

To make sure there are a lot of flowers, flowering trees should be pruned in the spring after this is done

Potassium Deficiency

Symptoms of this include burning, or scorching that is more severe the older the leaves

Primary

These nutrients are needed by plants in large amounts. Also called essential nutrients

Forms

Solid, liquid, and gaseous are... of fertilizer

Urea

Which form of nitrogen is considered organic?

Long Day

Plant that requires a short dark time are given this term

Carbon Dioxide

This gas is vital to plants for food production

Rhizobium Bacteria

Nodules on legumes have this kind of bacteria inside; it makes environmental nitrogen available for plant use

Percent by Weight

The guaranteed analysis is determined by this

Tender

Plants that cannot tolerate any cold air or frost are termed this

Dead

Branches that are this, should be pruned off... they ain't coming back

Phosphorous Deficiency

This plant malady is usually recognized by purpling of the undersurface of the leaves

Complete

Term for a fertilizer that contains all three primary nutrients

Guaranteed Analysis

The three numbers on the front of a fertilizer bag are called this

Inert

Filler material in a fertilizer is referred to by this term

Damaged

Broken branches make up this third "D" of the three D's of pruning

Phloem

This plant vascular tissue transports glucose from the leaves to other parts of the plant to be used for growth or held in storage

Water Sprouts

The extra branches that grow up from the trees are referred to as this; they should be pruned off

Incomplete

Term for a fertilizer that lacks one of the primary nutrients