A

Asian Citrus Psyllid

Insect vector that spreads HLB (citrus greening) in citrus‑growing regions.

Acidic Soil

Soil with pH below 7.0. Many Florida soils trend sandy and slightly acidic; nutrient management is key.

Active Ingredient

The component in a pesticide that controls the target pest.

Aeration

Introducing air into soil or root zone to improve drainage and root health.

Ag Extension

Local Cooperative Extension offices (UF/IFAS in Florida) offering research‑based guidance.

Ag Zone

Common shorthand for USDA Hardiness Zone used in plant selection and marketing.

Anthracnose

Fungal disease common on mango, avocado, and ornamentals; causes leaf spots and fruit lesions.

B

Balled & Burlapped

Field‑dug plants sold with a soil ball wrapped in burlap.

Bare Root

Plants sold and shipped without soil around roots; typically when dormant (less common for tropicals).

Beneficial Insects

Predators/parasitoids (e.g., lady beetles, lacewings) used in biological control.

Budwood

Dormant bud sticks taken from a cultivar for budding/grafting onto rootstock.

Buffer Strip

Vegetated area reducing runoff into waterways; often part of BMPs.

C

Canopy

The above‑ground portion of a plant forming the crown; affects light interception and airflow.

Canker (Citrus)

Bacterial disease causing raised corky lesions on leaves/fruit; spread by wind‑driven rain.

Certified Organic

USDA certification indicating compliance with organic production standards.

Chelate

A form of micronutrient bound to an organic molecule to improve plant availability (e.g., Fe‑EDDHA).

Chill Hours

Accumulated hours below ~45°F needed by temperate fruit trees to break dormancy.

Chlorosis

Yellowing due to nutrient deficiency or root stress; iron chlorosis common on high‑pH substrates.

Citrus Leafminer

Larvae tunnel within new citrus leaves, causing serpentine mines and distortion.

Clone

Genetically identical plant produced asexually (cuttings, grafting).

Cover Crop

Crop grown primarily to improve soil health, reduce erosion, or suppress weeds.

Cultivar

“Cultivated variety”; a named selection maintained through propagation (e.g., ‘Carrie’ mango).

D

Diameter at Breast Height

Standard tree trunk measurement at 4.5 ft (1.37 m) above ground.

DI Water

De‑ionized water used for lab or precise fertigation setups.

Drainage Class

Soil’s natural ability to remove water; key for root health in Florida’s rainy season.

Drip Irrigation

Low‑volume irrigation delivering water at or near the root zone to reduce waste and leaf wetness.

E

EDIS

Electronic Data Information Source from UF/IFAS with research‑based publications.

Evapotranspiration

Combined water loss from evaporation and plant transpiration; used to schedule irrigation.

Extension Agent

County or regional professional providing localized agricultural support and education.

F

FDACS

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; oversees plant industry regulations and consumer services.

Fertigation

Applying fertilizer through an irrigation system for precise nutrient delivery.

Foliar Feed

Nutrient spray applied to leaves for rapid uptake.

Fungicide

Product used to prevent or manage fungal diseases; rotate FRAC groups to manage resistance.

G

Gallon Trade Size

Nursery container size convention; may not equal actual fluid gallons (e.g., #3 pot).

Girdling

Constriction of stems/roots that disrupts vascular flow; can be caused by staking ties or roots circling a container.

Grafting

Joining scion and rootstock so they grow as one plant; used to propagate named cultivars.

Greening or Citrus Greening Disease

See HLB; causes misshapen, bitter fruit and tree decline.

H

Hardiness Zone USDA

Cold‑tolerance classification; Florida spans roughly 8a–11b.

HLB

Huanglongbing (citrus greening), a bacterial disease vectored by Asian Citrus Psyllid.

Humus

Stable organic matter improving soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

I

UF/IFAS

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; statewide Extension and research.

Integrated Pest Management

Pest strategy that prioritizes monitoring, thresholds, cultural practices, biologicals, and targeted treatments.

Interstock

A grafted intermediate stem section between scion and rootstock to confer traits or compatibility.

J

Juvenility

Developmental phase before a plant becomes capable of flowering/fruiting; affected by rootstock and pruning.

L

Laurel Wilt

Fungal disease spread by ambrosia beetles; serious in avocado (Persea spp.).

Labeled Use

Legal directions on a pesticide product label; “the label is the law.”

Loam

Balanced soil texture of sand, silt, and clay; often amended in Florida to improve water‑holding capacity.

M

Macro/Micronutrients

Essential elements required in large/small amounts (e.g., N‑P‑K vs. Fe, Mn, Zn, B).

Master Gardener

Trained UF/IFAS Extension volunteers supporting horticulture education in communities.

Mulch

Organic or mineral material on soil surface to retain moisture, moderate temperature, and limit weeds.

Mycorrhizae

Beneficial fungi forming symbiosis with roots; can enhance nutrient uptake and drought tolerance.

N

Native Plant

Species naturally occurring in a region without human introduction.

Node

Point on a stem where leaves or buds arise; important reference for pruning and propagation.

NPK

Fertilizer grade listing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium percentages.

O

Occlusion

Healing of a graft union or pruning wound by callus tissue.

Organic Matter OM

Decomposed plant/animal residues improving soil structure and CEC.

Ornamental

Plants grown for aesthetic features rather than edible yield.

P

Particulate Sand (Florida Sands)

Coarse‑textured mineral fraction dominant in many Florida soils; drains quickly.

pH

Measure of acidity/alkalinity affecting nutrient availability and microbial activity.

Plant Passport / Nursery Certification

Regulatory compliance for shipping live plants; administered via FDACS Division of Plant Industry.

Plant Patent PP

Legal protection for new cultivars; affects propagation/sales rights.

Plug

Seedling or cutting rooted in a small cell tray used for transplanting.

Pollination (Self‑ vs. Cross‑)

Transfer of pollen; some fruit trees require compatible partners for reliable yields.

Potassium

Primary macronutrient (K); supports fruit quality, stress tolerance, and water regulation.

Propagation

Creating new plants via seed, cuttings, grafting, layering, or tissue culture.

Q

Quarantine

Restriction of plant movement to prevent spread of pests/diseases (e.g., citrus plant movement rules).

R

Rainfast

Time after application for a product to resist wash‑off by rain/irrigation.

Raised Bed

Improved drainage and soil control by elevating growing area—useful in high rainfall zones.

Root Pruning

Trimming roots to encourage fibrous growth; also done when up‑potting container trees.

Rootstock

The lower part of a grafted plant providing the root system and often vigor/disease traits.

S

Salt Stress

Plant injury from saline irrigation or coastal exposure; choose tolerant species or manage leaching.

Sanitation

Removing diseased tissue/fruit and disinfecting tools to reduce inoculum.

Scion

Desired cultivar piece grafted onto a rootstock.

Selective Herbicide

Kills specific weed groups while sparing crops when used per label.

Side‑Dress

Applying fertilizer alongside the plant row after establishment.

Soil Solarization

Using clear plastic to heat soil and reduce pathogens/weed seeds during warm months.

Spreader‑Sticker

Adjuvant that improves spray coverage and adherence.

Susceptible Variety

Plant cultivar lacking resistance/tolerance to a specific pest or disease.

T

Taproot

Primary central root; some species dislike root disturbance when young.

Taxonomy

Hierarchical classification (family, genus, species, cultivar) used on our product listings.

Tissue Culture

Micropropagation technique to multiply disease‑free clones.

Transplant Shock

Temporary setback after planting due to root disturbance, heat, or moisture imbalance.

Tree Spacing

Recommended distances between trees based on vigor, training system, and equipment access.

U

UF/IFAS

See IFAS; Florida’s land‑grant Extension and research network.

Urea

Common nitrogen fertilizer (46‑0‑0); can volatilize without proper incorporation or timing.

V

Variety

Botanical rank below species; in trade, often used interchangeably with cultivar (though technically different).

Vertebrate Pest

Animals like deer, raccoons, or birds that feed on crops or fruit.

Verticillium Wilt

Soilborne fungus affecting many hosts; managed by rotation/resistant rootstocks where relevant.

W

Water Holding Capacity

Amount of water soil can retain against gravity; boosted by organic matter and mulches.

Weed Pressure

Intensity of weed competition impacting establishment and yield.

Windbreak

Plantings or structures reducing wind speed; protect young trees and reduce evapotranspiration.

X

Xylem

Vascular tissue transporting water and minerals from roots upward.

Y

Yield

The useful production per plant or per area (e.g., lbs of fruit per tree).

Z

Zone (USDA Hardiness)

Mapping of average annual minimum temperatures used to guide plant selection (Florida ≈ 8a–11b).