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.

8 Planting Terms You Need to Know

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The vegetative stage 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.

4. The flowering stage is the time your plants ready itself to bear fruits or show some flowers.

5. The harvest stage is 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. For fruits 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.