If you are ordering seeds or plants now, getting ready to plant flower or vegetable seeds early indoors, or just dreaming of warm spring weather to plant in your garden, there are many terms to keep in mind. Terms can apply to information on seed packets or plants you are buying online or at garden centers.
What is the difference between annual, perennial and biannual plants? Annual is a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season. An annual blooms, sets seeds and dies. A perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. In the first year, the plant grows and may or may not produce flowers and seeds. During the second year, it will produce flowers and seeds, and each year after that. A biannual is a plant that requires two growing seasons to complete its life cycle. Vegetative growth (leaves) appears in the first season, with flowering and seed production in the second season, and then it dies.
Two terms that are confusing for annuals are half hardy and self-seeding (sometimes called self-sowing). Half-hardy annuals may come back and grow during the second year if there is a mild winter or they are protected. Self-seeding annuals are ones that drop their seeds, and the seeds may germinate the next spring. Examples of self-seeding annuals are celosia, poppies, cleome, larkspur and amaranth. In flower shows, self-seeding annuals are a scheduling problem. It is still an annual, not a perennial, because it comes up the second year from seed not from the roots as a perennial does.
For vegetables (especially tomatoes, cucumbers, beans or peas) the terms “determinate” and “indeterminate” are used. Determinate means a compact variety of a plant that stops growing when it reaches a certain height. Indeterminate means a vining variety that continues to grow up until frost. Indeterminate plants will probably need a trellis or some type of material to climb or be supported. The term “indeterminate” may not be commonly used, just the word “vining.”
In a description of a vegetable plant, one may find the term “premature flowering or bolting.” This generally refers to lettuce pak choi, spinach and broccoli. Bolting renders them bitter and lessens their quality.
Long before you are ready to plant seeds, read the seed packet as some seeds may need special treatment. The seed packet may suggest the seeds initially be kept at a cold temperature, usually 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of time. This cold period is known as cold stratification to break embryonic dormancy. The packet can be put in a plastic bag and placed in the refrigerator.
The seed packet may suggest the seed coat be penetrated. You can do this by nicking or chipping the seed coat and soaking the seeds in water. This aids germination for seeds such as sweet peas, morning glories and hyacinth bean vine. Sometimes the packet will suggest just soaking the seed in water for a period of time. The packet may suggest scraping the seeds. You can do this by placing the seeds in a jar with sandpaper and shaking them.
What is the difference between a common name and a botanical name? A botanical name is assigned to a plant using the Latin-based terminology. The botanical name or scientific name eliminates the risk of confusing it with other plants.
The common name is used in certain communities or geographical regions to describe a plant. Because one plant can have several common names, their use is confusing. That is why in gardening articles the common names and botanical names are used.
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