Grower Glossary – AUpdated 8 days ago
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Welcome to the Grower Glossary – A, your complete guide to cultivation terminology that builds a strong foundation for plant health. Learn about aeration, amendments, auxins, apical dominance, and other key concepts that shape how your plants grow, breathe, and thrive in any medium.
Absorption
The process by which plant roots take in water and nutrients through osmosis.
Grower Slang: “Uptake.”
Absorption efficiency depends on pH, root health, and temperature — the foundation of nutrient performance.
Acclimation
The adjustment period when plants adapt to new conditions — like moving from humidity domes to open air or from LED lights to sunlight.
Grower Slang: “Hardening off.”
Take it slow to avoid stress or leaf bleaching.
Acidic Soil
Soil with a pH below 7.0. Cannabis prefers slightly acidic conditions (6.0–6.5) for proper nutrient absorption.
Grower Slang: “Sour soil.”
Fix: Add dolomite lime or CalMag to raise pH gently.
Active Ingredient (AI)
The primary compound in a pesticide or additive responsible for its effect.
Grower Slang: “The active.”
Always confirm organic or OMRI-approved AIs when using pest control in cannabis.
Aeration
Introducing air into the soil or root zone to boost oxygen levels and microbial life.
Grower Slang: “Fluffing the mix.”
Add perlite, pumice, or coco to improve airflow and drainage.
Aerobic Bacteria
Microbes that thrive in oxygen-rich environments.
Grower Slang: “Oxygen bugs.”
Essential for compost teas and living soil — they decompose organic matter into plant-ready nutrients.
Aerosol Drift
When spray solutions or pesticides move through air currents and reach unintended plants or areas.
Grower Slang: “Spray drift.”
Always turn off fans when foliar spraying.
After-Ripening
The internal maturation period seeds undergo after harvest. Some cannabis and hemp seeds need this phase before germination rates peak.
Aggregate
The mineral particles that make up soil structure — sand, silt, and clay.
Grower Slang: “Soil texture.”
Healthy aggregates provide drainage, aeration, and microbial housing.
Agronomy
The applied science of soil, crop, and nutrient management.
Grower Slang: “Soil science.”
Cronk’s nutrient lines are built on agronomic research for optimal bioavailability.
Air Exchange Rate (AER)
How often air in a grow space is replaced with fresh air. Measured in air changes per hour (ACH).
Grower Slang: “Air swap.”
Maintaining proper AER keeps CO₂ fresh and prevents humidity buildup.
Air Layering
A cloning method where roots are developed on a living branch before cutting it off.
Grower Slang: “Branch rooting.”
Less common in cannabis but used in mother plant preservation.
Air Pruning
When root tips reach air and naturally branch out, creating a dense root network.
Grower Slang: “Air-cut roots.”
Pro Tip: Fabric pots and air pots promote natural pruning and root expansion.
Air Stone
A porous diffuser that pumps oxygen into nutrient solutions in DWC and hydroponic systems.
Grower Slang: “Bubbler.”
Cronk Tip: Combine with Monkey Juice for optimal root health and dissolved oxygen.
Alkaline Soil
Soil with a pH above 7.0, often due to hard water or lime buildup.
Grower Slang: “Hot pH soil.”
Leads to micronutrient lockout (especially iron and phosphorus). Lower pH with organic acids or balanced feeds.
Allelopathy
A plant’s ability to release chemicals that inhibit nearby plant growth.
Grower Slang: “Plant turf war.”
Rare in cannabis, but important in companion planting.
Alternating Nodes
When branches and leaves grow in a staggered pattern (not opposite each other).
Grower Slang: “She’s mature.”
A sign your cannabis plant is sexually mature and ready for flowering.
Amendment
Any material added to soil to improve fertility, structure, or water retention.
Grower Slang: “Soil boost.”
Examples: compost, worm castings, perlite, dolomite lime, or bone meal.
Ammonium (NH₄⁺)
A nitrogen form plants can absorb directly.
Grower Slang: “Hot N source.”
Balanced with nitrate nitrogen for consistent growth and less risk of burn.
Anaerobic Conditions
Oxygen-deprived environments that promote harmful bacteria and root rot.
Grower Slang: “Sour roots.”
Fix: Improve drainage, airflow, and avoid overwatering.
Anion / Cation
Positively (+) and negatively (–) charged nutrient ions in soil or solution.
Grower Slang: “Nutrient charge.”
Cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺) and anions (NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻) must remain balanced for ideal uptake.
Annual Plant
A plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season.
Grower Slang: “One and done.”
Cannabis is an annual — germinate, veg, flower, harvest.
Aphid
A small, soft-bodied insect that sucks sap from plants, causing stunted growth and curled leaves.
Grower Slang: “Plant lice” or “green bugs.”
Fix: Use neem oil, insecticidal soap, or predatory ladybugs.
Apical Dominance
When the main shoot (top cola) grows taller than side branches due to auxin hormone concentration.
Grower Slang: “Main top.”
Grow Tip: Break apical dominance with topping or FIMing to create multiple colas.
Apical Meristem
The growing tip at the top of a stem or root, where new cells divide.
Grower Slang: “Growth tip.”
Cutting or training this area changes plant structure dramatically.
Aquaponics
A hybrid growing method combining fish farming (aquaculture) and hydroponics.
Grower Slang: “Fish grow.”
Fish waste provides nutrients, while plants filter and clean the water.
Armadillo Armour
Cronk Nutrients’ monosilicic acid additive that strengthens cell walls, boosts stress resistance, and increases rigidity.
Grower Slang: “Silica juice.”
Always add first when mixing to avoid nutrient lockout.
Asexual Propagation
Cloning plants through cuttings, tissue culture, or layering — producing identical genetics.
Grower Slang: “Taking cuts.”
All cannabis cloning is asexual propagation.
Auxin
A natural plant hormone that regulates cell elongation, root development, and apical dominance.
Grower Slang: “Growth juice.”
Auxin levels shift when topping or during clone rooting.
Available Phosphate (P₂O₅)
The amount of phosphorus accessible to plants.
Grower Slang: “Available P.”
Cronk Example: Bloom and PuurPhos deliver bioavailable phosphorus for strong roots and flowers.
Axil / Axillary Bud
The junction where leaves meet stems — new shoots and bud sites emerge here.
Grower Slang: “Node point” or “bud site.”
Training techniques like topping, LST, or mainlining promote axillary bud development.
Amino Acids
Organic compounds that build plant proteins and support enzyme activity.
Grower Slang: “Amos” or “plant proteins.”
Often included in biostimulants to boost growth and stress tolerance.
Autoflower
A cannabis plant that begins flowering automatically with age rather than changes in light schedule.
Grower Slang: “Auto,” “auto run,” or “self-flower.”
Cronk Tip: Feed Bonnie (Veg) then Clyde (Bloom) — both designed for autos’ fast lifecycle.
Autotroph
An organism (like a plant) that produces its own food from light, CO₂, and water via photosynthesis.
Grower Slang: “Self-feeder.”
Algae (Grow Term)
Green or slimy film that grows in nutrient-rich, light-exposed areas.
Grower Slang: “Slime” or “green scum.”
Prevent algae by covering reservoirs and using proper aeration.
Adventitious Roots
Roots that form from stems or leaves rather than existing root systems.
Grower Slang: “Bonus roots.”
Common during cloning or transplanting stressed plants.
Auxiliary Lighting
Supplemental lights added to improve canopy penetration or edge coverage.
Grower Slang: “Side lights” or “boosters.”
Aroma (Terpene Profile)
The distinct scent given off by cannabis flowers, driven by terpenes like myrcene, limonene, and pinene.
Grower Slang: “Loud,” “gas,” “funk.”
Proper curing and balanced feeding preserve the full aroma profile.
Anthocyanins
Natural pigments that give cannabis buds their purple, red, or blue hues.
Grower Slang: “Color fade,” “purps.”
Cooler night temps and balanced phosphorus enhance expression.
Airflow
The movement of air through the canopy and grow room.
Grower Slang: “Wind game” or “air game.”
Proper airflow prevents mold, strengthens stems, and regulates humidity.
Artificial Light Spectrum
The range of light wavelengths emitted by grow lights.
Grower Slang: “Full spec” or “blurple.”
LEDs provide customizable spectra ideal for both veg and bloom.
Atomization
The process of breaking a liquid (like foliar spray) into fine droplets.
Grower Slang: “Mist.”
Used in foggers, humidifiers, or foliar sprayers.
Avocado Tech (Organic Grow Slang)
A composting method where organic growers bury avocado halves filled with amendments and worms in living soil.
Grower Slang: “Worm snack” or “avocado pod.”
Feeds microbes and boosts soil biodiversity.
Understanding “A” terms means understanding your foundation — airflow, structure, and biology. Every strong plant starts here. Combine knowledge with Cronk Nutrients’ precision feeding to unlock your garden’s full potential.