Grower Glossary – UUpdated 8 days ago
U
“U” is for uptake, UV, and understanding — the science of absorption, lighting, and uniform growth. These terms help growers optimize efficiency and plant health.
Ubiquitin (Plant Biology)
A small regulatory protein found in plant cells that helps remove damaged or unneeded proteins.
Grower Slang: “Plant cleanup crew.”
Part of the plant’s stress and defense system that maintains cell health.
Underfeeding
Providing too few nutrients for proper plant development.
Grower Slang: “Light feed,” “hungry plants.”
Cronk Tip: Pale leaves and slow growth = signs of underfeeding. Increase feed strength gradually and monitor EC.
Underwatering
Not providing enough water for roots to function properly.
Grower Slang: “Dry roots.”
Cronk Tip: Check pot weight before watering. Consistent underwatering leads to root dieback and nutrient uptake issues.
Undercanopy
The lower section of the plant below the main canopy.
Grower Slang: “Lower zone.”
Cronk Tip: Clean up the undercanopy during late veg to improve airflow and direct energy to top bud sites.
Undercurrent System (Hydroponics)
A recirculating hydro system that moves nutrient solution continuously between connected buckets.
Grower Slang: “RDWC,” “flow system.”
Cronk Tip: Maintain high dissolved oxygen levels — Monkey Juice helps keep roots healthy in active systems.
Uneven Canopy
When plants grow at inconsistent heights, reducing light distribution.
Grower Slang: “Lopsided canopy.”
Cronk Tip: Level canopy using LST, topping, or SCROG netting for uniform light exposure.
Unbalanced pH
When pH drifts outside the optimal range for nutrient uptake (5.8–6.3 in hydro/coco, 6.0–6.8 in soil).
Grower Slang: “pH swing,” “acid lock.”
Cronk Tip: Use calibrated pH pens and stabilize with Cronk Micro buffers.
Unburned Tips
Healthy leaf tips showing correct nutrient balance.
Grower Slang: “Perfect edge.”
A good visual indicator that EC and pH are dialed in.
Uncured (Post-Harvest Term)
Flower that hasn’t gone through the curing process yet.
Grower Slang: “Fresh,” “green bud.”
Cronk Tip: Always cure a minimum of 2–4 weeks for smooth flavor and terpene preservation.
Unflushable (Grower Slang)
Slang for plants that retain nutrient flavor or residue even after flushing.
Grower Slang: “Hard taste,” “chemmy buds.”
Cronk Tip: Switch to PuurOrganics or clean-base nutrients for smoother, natural-tasting flower.
Uniform Canopy
Even height and spread across all plants under the light.
Grower Slang: “Flat top.”
Cronk Tip: Train plants early for consistent light coverage and equal bud development.
Uniform Growth
Consistent growth patterns across plants in the same environment.
Grower Slang: “Even run.”
Indicates stable environmental control and balanced feeding.
Unisex Plant
A plant capable of producing both male and female flowers.
Grower Slang: “Hermie,” “hermaphrodite.”
Cronk Tip: Avoid light leaks and stress to prevent unintentional hermaphroditism.
Unrooted Cutting
A fresh clone or cutting that hasn’t yet developed roots.
Grower Slang: “Raw cut.”
Cronk Tip: Use rooting gel and high humidity (75–85%) for successful propagation.
Unsaturated Soil
Soil that still has air pockets after watering — ideal for oxygen exchange.
Grower Slang: “Breathing soil.”
Healthy root zones alternate between wet and dry cycles.
Unsulfured Molasses
Organic carbohydrate source used to feed microbes in soil or compost teas.
Grower Slang: “Microbe food,” “sweet feed.”
Cronk Tip: A teaspoon per gallon promotes microbial activity in living soil.
Untrimmed (Harvest Slang)
Buds that haven’t been trimmed post-harvest.
Grower Slang: “Full-leaf,” “lazy trim.”
Cronk Tip: Untrimmed buds dry slower — can protect terpenes but reduce bag appeal.
Up-Pot (Transplant Slang)
Grower slang for transplanting into a larger pot.
Grower Slang: “Pot up,” “bump up.”
Cronk Tip: Up-pot before roots circle — promotes continuous root expansion and growth.
Upward Curl
Leaf edges curling upward, usually from heat or light stress.
Grower Slang: “Taco leaves.”
Cronk Tip: Raise lights or improve ventilation to correct canopy temperature.
Uptake (Nutrient Uptake)
The absorption of water and nutrients by plant roots.
Grower Slang: “Feeding.”
Cronk Tip: Balanced EC and oxygen-rich roots = maximum nutrient uptake efficiency.
Uptake Inhibitor
A condition or compound that blocks nutrient absorption (often caused by incorrect pH or salt buildup).
Grower Slang: “Nute block.”
Cronk Tip: Flush with pH-balanced water and reset your feeding schedule.
UV Light (Ultraviolet Light)
High-energy light wavelengths (280–400 nm) that stimulate trichome and terpene production.
Grower Slang: “UV boost.”
Cronk Tip: Add UV-A/B supplementation during late bloom for stickier, more resinous buds.
UV-B Exposure
Short-wavelength UV that triggers protective resin response.
Grower Slang: “Sun stress.”
Cronk Tip: Limit exposure to short bursts — too much UV can burn leaves.
Urea
A nitrogen-rich organic compound used in fertilizers.
Grower Slang: “N-feed.”
Cronk Tip: Breaks down slower than nitrate nitrogen — best suited for soil and organic systems.
Urease
An enzyme that helps convert urea into usable ammonium for plants.
Grower Slang: “Urea converter.”
Essential in organic and slow-release nutrient programs.
Useful Light Spectrum (Plant Lighting)
Refers to wavelengths between 400–700 nm (PAR range) used for photosynthesis.
Grower Slang: “Grow light range.”
Cronk Tip: Full-spectrum LEDs maximize PAR and yield per watt.
Utility Room (Grow Facility Term)
A space housing environmental controls, nutrient mixing tanks, or reservoirs.
Grower Slang: “Control room.”
Keep clean and temperature-stable to ensure consistent feeding conditions.
Uptake Efficiency
The rate at which plants absorb nutrients compared to what’s available.
Grower Slang: “Feed efficiency.”
Cronk Tip: Proper root oxygenation and microbe health = high uptake efficiency.
Upstream (Hydro Term)
Flow direction in a hydroponic system or irrigation line before reaching plants.
Grower Slang: “Input flow.”
Keep upstream lines clean to prevent contamination.
Upwind (Environmental Term)
Positioned opposite to the direction of air or odor flow.
Grower Slang: “Fresh side.”
Cronk Tip: Always exhaust grow room air downwind to prevent scent leaks.