Grower Glossary – EUpdated 9 days ago
E
Welcome to the Grower Glossary – E, where environment, enzymes, and electrical conductivity meet real-world growing practice. Learn the essential E-terms that shape your feeding precision, climate balance, and root zone health.
EC (Electrical Conductivity)
Measures how much nutrient (salt) is in your water or feeding solution. It tells you how strong your mix is — a high EC means a heavy feed.
Grower Slang: “What’s your EC at?” or “Running hot” (too high EC).
Cronk Tip: Keep EC around 1.0–1.6 for veg, 1.6–2.2 for bloom depending on plant response.
Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)
A hydroponic system that floods the root zone with nutrients and then drains, allowing oxygen exchange.
Grower Slang: “Flood table” or “ebb tray.”
Perfect for small setups or sea-of-green grows due to uniform watering.
Ecology (Grow Ecology)
The interaction between plants, microbes, air, and water in your growing space.
A balanced indoor ecosystem promotes resilience, healthy soil biology, and fewer pest issues.
Ecosystem (Grow Environment)
Refers to your entire grow setup — the plants, light, temperature, humidity, microbes, and even the grower’s habits.
A stable ecosystem = less stress, fewer problems, and consistent yields.
Efflorescence
The white, crusty salt deposits that appear on soil or pot surfaces when nutrient solution evaporates.
Grower Slang: “Salt creep.”
Flush regularly to prevent root burn and lockout.
Effluent (Runoff)
The leftover nutrient water that drains from pots or trays.
Testing effluent pH and EC helps monitor root zone health.
Grower Slang: “Runoff check.”
Elongation (Stretch)
Rapid upward growth, especially during early flowering. Some stretch is normal, but too much means your lights are too far or intensity is low.
Grower Slang: “Stretch city” or “They’re reaching.”
Embryo (Seed Embryo)
The baby plant inside the seed — contains all genetic information for future growth.
Healthy embryos = strong germination rates.
Emergence
When a seedling breaks through the soil and starts growing its first leaves.
Grower Slang: “Popped” or “Sprouted.”
Endomycorrhizae
Beneficial fungi that live inside plant roots and expand the root network for better water and nutrient uptake.
Common in organic and living soil systems.
Grower Slang: “Mycos” or “Fungal allies.”
Endophytes
Beneficial bacteria or fungi that live inside plant tissues without causing harm.
They improve stress tolerance and help plants resist disease.
Enrichment (CO₂ Enrichment)
The process of adding CO₂ to the grow room to boost photosynthesis.
Most effective under strong LED or HID lighting.
Grower Slang: “CO₂ blast” or “Tank grow.”
Enzyme
Proteins that speed up biochemical reactions — crucial in root zone health. They break down dead roots and organic matter into nutrients plants can reuse.
Grower Slang: “Enzymes keep your root zone clean.”
Used heavily in organic and hydroponic grows.
Environment
The full set of growing conditions — light, humidity, temperature, CO₂, and airflow.
Grower Slang: “Your environment is your yield.”
Cronk Tip: Aim for steady climate control before chasing nutrient tweaks.
Epigenetics
The way environmental conditions (light, nutrients, stress) influence which genes express themselves.
Example: Two clones can grow differently under different lights or feeding schedules.
Epigeal Germination
When a seed pushes its cotyledons (seed leaves) above the soil surface. Common in cannabis, herbs, and vegetables.
Erosion
The physical removal of growing medium from pots due to watering or airflow.
Grower Slang: “Losing soil.”
Fix by adding mulch or top-dressing with coco or compost.
Essential Elements (Plant Nutrition)
The 17 nutrients plants need to live. Divided into:
Primary Macronutrients: N, P, K
Secondary Macronutrients: Ca, Mg, S
Micronutrients: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl, Ni
Cronk Tip: The Classic Line and PuurOrganics deliver all essential elements in balanced ratios.
Ethylene
A natural plant hormone (gas) responsible for ripening and flower aging.
Excess ethylene can cause premature yellowing or bud softening in enclosed grows.
Grower Slang: “Too much ethylene — buds went mushy.”
Etiolation
A condition caused by insufficient light — plants grow tall, pale, and weak.
Grower Slang: “Leggy seedlings.”
Keep light close (but not hot) to prevent stretch.
Evaporation
When water changes from liquid to vapor. In grow rooms, evaporation raises humidity — too much can cause mold.
Grower Slang: “Sweaty tent” or “too humid.”
Evapotranspiration (ET)
The combined loss of water from soil (evaporation) and leaves (transpiration).
ET determines how much water and nutrients your plants need daily.
Grower Slang: “They’re drinking heavy” = high ET rate.
Exchange Sites (CEC)
Negatively charged soil or coco particles that hold onto positively charged nutrients (like calcium and magnesium).
The more exchange sites, the more stable your nutrient availability.
Exhaust Fan
Removes hot, humid air and pulls in fresh air.
Grower Slang: “Pulling negative pressure” (a properly vented tent will suck in slightly on the sides).
Essential for temperature and odor control.
Exosmosis
The outward flow of water from plant cells due to high salt concentration outside the roots (caused by overfeeding or high EC).
Results in drooping or burnt leaf tips.
Grower Slang: “Feed’s too hot.”
Exudates (Root Exudates)
Sugars, amino acids, and organic acids released by roots to “feed” microbes.
Healthy roots release more exudates, which build strong soil biology.
Grower Slang: “Feeding the soil life.”
Eutrophication
An overload of nutrients in a water system, causing algae and oxygen depletion.
In hydroponics, this shows up as slimy residue or “nutrient soup.”
Grower Slang: “Res got funky.”
Fix with oxygenation, enzyme cleaners, or Monkey Juice.
Eye (Seed Eye)
The small indentation or “spot” on a seed coat where the embryo will sprout.
Grower Slang: “The eye’s popping” — used when a seed starts cracking before germination.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Part of plant cell anatomy that processes and transports nutrients inside the cell.
Knowing how internal structures function helps explain nutrient deficiency symptoms and plant metabolism.
Exogenous Application
Applying external substances (nutrients, hormones, microbes) to influence plant behavior.
Examples: Armadillo Armour (silica), Monkey Juice (bacteria), or foliar sprays for micronutrients.
Eukaryote
A cell type with a nucleus — all higher plants, including cannabis, are eukaryotes.
Understanding this biology explains why plants need balanced micro and macro nutrition for cell growth.
Euphorbia (Botany Term)
A large genus of plants that excrete a milky sap. While not directly related to cannabis, it’s often confused due to similar growth forms in tropical ornamentals.
Energy Balance (Photosynthesis Concept)
Refers to how efficiently plants convert light, CO₂, and nutrients into sugars.
If temperature or light is too low, photosynthesis slows.
Grower Slang: “They’re not eating — environment’s off.”
ECS (Endocannabinoid System)
Though not part of the plant itself, this is the biological system in humans and animals that responds to cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants — connecting cultivation to therapeutic use.
Ebb
Grower shorthand for “ebb and flow” hydro setups or cycles in water tables.
Grower Slang: “Ebb cycle” or “Ebb time” when describing flood intervals.
EWC (Earthworm Castings)
Organic material produced by worms — rich in nutrients and microbes.
Grower Slang: “Worm poop” or “castings.”
EWC is a favorite soil amendment for organic growers and pairs perfectly with PuurOrganics.
Ejector (Mixing System)
A device that automatically mixes concentrated nutrients into water using suction (Venturi-style). Common in commercial irrigation setups.
Grower Slang: “Dosatron” (brand name often used generically).
End Use Quality
Refers to the desired characteristics of the final product — aroma, flavor, density, color, and smoothness.
Strongly influenced by nutrients, curing, and post-harvest environment.
Exaustive Crop (Agronomy)
A plant that heavily depletes soil nutrients during growth. Cannabis is considered moderately exhaustive, meaning regular feeding or rotation is necessary in living soils.
Enviros
Grower slang short for “environmental controls” — temperature, humidity, CO₂, and airflow systems.
Example: “Enviros are dialed” = perfect grow room balance.
Mastering “E” terms means mastering your grow environment. From EC readings to enzyme activity, Cronk Nutrients helps growers create the perfect balance between energy, efficiency, and ecosystem.