Grower Glossary – NUpdated 8 days ago

N

The Grower Glossary – N covers nutrients, nitrogen cycles, and node development — the lifeblood of any garden. Understand how balanced feeding keeps plants green, strong, and thriving.

N (Nitrogen)

A macronutrient essential for leafy green growth and chlorophyll formation.

Grower Slang: “Nitro,” “N-feed.”

Cronk Tip: Grow (Classic Line) or Bonnie (Autoflower Veg) provide balanced nitrogen for vigorous vegetative development.

Na (Sodium)

A mineral element that can build up in soil or water.

Grower Slang: “Salt.”

Excess sodium causes nutrient lockout — common in unfiltered tap or well water.

Natural Farming

An organic cultivation approach using indigenous microorganisms (IMO), compost teas, and fermented inputs.

Grower Slang: “KNF” (Korean Natural Farming).

Promotes self-sustaining, biologically active soil systems.

Natural Light

Sunlight used for outdoor or greenhouse cultivation.

Grower Slang: “Free photons.”

Cronk Tip: Supplemental LED lighting keeps PPFD consistent on cloudy days.

Necrosis

The death of plant tissue, often from nutrient deficiency, toxicity, or disease.

Grower Slang: “Leaf death,” “crispy tips.”

Identify the cause early — often linked to high EC or pH imbalance.

Nematodes

Microscopic roundworms in soil — some beneficial, others harmful.

Grower Slang: “Soil worms.”

Beneficial nematodes attack fungus gnat larvae and root pests naturally.

N-P-K (Nutrient Ratio)

Represents the ratio of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) in fertilizers.

Grower Slang: “NPK.”

Cronk Tip: Adjust ratios per stage:

• Veg: High N (3–1–2)

• Bloom: High P & K (1–3–4)

Node

The point on a stem where leaves or branches grow.

Grower Slang: “Growth site.”

Used to determine plant maturity, topping points, and bud development.

Nodular Growth

Rounded or knotted growth patterns, often at root nodules or from stress recovery.

Grower Slang: “Knuckling.”

Seen after training or topping.

Nitrite (NO₂⁻)

An intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle.

Grower Slang: “Half-step nitrogen.”

Converted quickly into plant-available nitrate (NO₃⁻) by microbes.

Nitrate (NO₃⁻)

A readily available form of nitrogen absorbed directly by plant roots.

Grower Slang: “Available N.”

Most nutrient formulas use a nitrate/ammonium balance for steady growth.

Nitrogen Deficiency

A common issue causing pale yellow leaves starting from the bottom upward.

Grower Slang: “Yellowing,” “N drop.”

Cronk Tip: Increase nitrogen feed or supplement with Grow (Classic) or Bonnie for autos.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process by which bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into plant-usable forms.

Grower Slang: “N-fix.”

Occurs naturally in living soil or with beneficial microbes.

Nitrogen Toxicity

When excess nitrogen causes dark green, clawed leaves and slowed flower development.

Grower Slang: “N claw,” “overfed.”

Cronk Tip: Flush and resume feeding at lower EC.

Nitrogen Uptake

The rate at which plants absorb nitrogen from the medium.

Grower Slang: “N uptake.”

Affected by pH, temperature, and root zone oxygen.

Nitrogen Cycle

The biological process converting nitrogen between organic and inorganic forms.

Grower Slang: “N loop.”

Healthy soil microbes keep this cycle stable.

Nitrogen Source

The origin of nitrogen in fertilizer (nitrate, ammonium, or urea).

Grower Slang: “N base.”

Cronk uses nitrate-based nitrogen for stable, clean feeding.

Nitrogen Stress

Any growth issue caused by too much or too little nitrogen.

Grower Slang: “N stress.”

Leads to leaf discoloration or structural weakness.

Nitrite Buildup

Accumulation of NO₂⁻ from poor microbial activity or water stagnation.

Grower Slang: “Toxic nitrogen.”

Flush and oxygenate hydro systems to prevent.

Nitrogenase

An enzyme that enables nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia.

Grower Slang: “N enzyme.”

Found in living soils or microbial inoculants.

Nitrogenous Waste

Organic matter high in nitrogen, like green leaves or fish emulsion.

Grower Slang: “Green compost.”

Useful in organic fertilizers.

Nitrogen Drawdown

Occurs when microbes consume nitrogen while breaking down carbon-rich materials.

Grower Slang: “N lock.”

Balance compost carbon-to-nitrogen ratios to avoid stalling growth.

Nitro Burn (Slang)

Grower slang for nutrient burn caused by excess nitrogen.

Grower Slang: “Hot feed,” “burnt tips.”

Cronk Tip: Flush with pH-balanced water, then resume feeding lightly.

Nitrification

The microbial process that converts ammonium into nitrate.

Grower Slang: “N conversion.”

Key in biological soil activity and hydro bio-filters.

Nitrogen Boost

A temporary increase in nitrogen feeding to accelerate vegetative growth.

Grower Slang: “N bump.”

Use carefully to avoid delay in flowering transition.

Nodule

A small growth or swelling on roots where nitrogen-fixing bacteria live.

Grower Slang: “Root bump.”

Indicates active biological soil.

Non-Photoperiod Plant

A plant (like autoflowering cannabis) that flowers with age instead of light cycle change.

Grower Slang: “Auto.”

Cronk Tip: Use Bonnie (Veg) and Clyde (Bloom) for full-cycle auto feeding.

Non-Systemic Spray

A foliar or pest spray that only kills on contact without entering plant tissue.

Grower Slang: “Contact spray.”

Safer for organic and late-stage use.

Nutrient

Any element or compound plants require for healthy growth.

Grower Slang: “Nutes.”

Cronk Tip: Use complete nutrient systems — not isolated salts — for balance and bioavailability.

Nutrient Availability

The degree to which nutrients are accessible for root absorption.

Grower Slang: “Uptake.”

Impacted by pH, temperature, and microbial life.

Nutrient Burn

Leaf-tip damage caused by overfeeding or high EC.

Grower Slang: “Nute burn,” “hot mix.”

Cronk Tip: Flush medium, lower EC, and reintroduce feeds gradually.

Nutrient Cycling

The natural process of reusing and transforming nutrients in soil ecosystems.

Grower Slang: “Soil loop.”

Promoted through compost, microbes, and living soil practices.

Nutrient Deficiency

When a plant lacks one or more essential nutrients.

Grower Slang: “Def,” “def issue.”

Identify by pattern:

• N = yellow lower leaves

• Mg = interveinal yellowing

• Ca = rust spots

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

A hydroponic system where a thin film of nutrient solution flows over bare roots.

Grower Slang: “NFT system.”

Provides constant oxygen and feeding — common in commercial setups.

Nutrient Lockout

When nutrients are present but unavailable due to pH imbalance or salt buildup.

Grower Slang: “Locked out,” “nutrient wall.”

Cronk Tip: Flush with plain water, check pH runoff, and refeed with balanced solution.

Nutrient Mix Order

The correct sequence for combining nutrients into solution.

Grower Slang: “Mix order.”

Cronk Tip: Always mix in this order:

CalMag → Grow → Micro → Bloom → Additives.

Nutrient Reservoir

A container that stores and circulates nutrient solution in hydro or coco grows.

Grower Slang: “Res.”

Keep clean, aerated, and under 22°C to prevent root pathogens.

Nutrient Solution

A water-based mixture of plant nutrients for feeding.

Grower Slang: “Feed water,” “juice.”

Cronk Tip: Check EC and pH before every feed for precision control.

Nutrient Uptake

The process by which roots absorb dissolved minerals from the medium.

Grower Slang: “Absorption.”

Optimal at correct pH and oxygen levels.

Nutrient Schedule

A week-by-week feeding plan for plants.

Grower Slang: “Feed chart.”

Cronk Tip: Follow Cronk’s tailored schedules per product line (Classic, Auto, or PuurOrganics).

Nutrient Strength

The concentration of nutrients in a solution, measured in EC or PPM.

Grower Slang: “Feed strength.”

Start low and increase gradually — avoid jumping EC by more than 0.2 per week.

Nutrient Toxicity

When excessive nutrient levels damage plant tissues or inhibit uptake of others.

Grower Slang: “Hot feed,” “overfed.”

Common in heavy-feeding systems without flush cycles.

Nutrient Uptake Curve

The changing pattern of nutrient demand throughout a plant’s life cycle.

Grower Slang: “Feeding curve.”

Veg = High N | Bloom = High P & K.

Nutrient Zone

The portion of soil or medium surrounding active roots where most absorption occurs.

Grower Slang: “Root zone,” “feed zone.”

Nute Burn (Slang)

Grower slang for leaf-tip burn from excessive nutrients.

Grower Slang: “Burnt tips.”

Cronk Tip: Flush, then resume feeding at lower strength.

Nug

A dense, well-formed cannabis flower.

Grower Slang: “Bud,” “nugget.”

The ultimate result of proper feeding, light, and curing.

Nug Run

Extraction made exclusively from high-quality flower (not trim).

Grower Slang: “Premium extract,” “nug wash.”

Yields the cleanest concentrates and best terpene profiles.

Nutrient Film (Hydro Term)

The thin layer of solution flowing over plant roots in NFT systems.

Grower Slang: “Flow film.”

Ensures consistent contact between roots and nutrients.