Bright Idea
A lack of this essential form of radiation leaves plants unable to create the energy they need to grow.
What is light?
This term refers to any material, organic or not, on or in which plants grow and obtain their nourishment.
What is substrate?
A surprising factor, the sweet spot for this measurement is 68ºF. Too low, and the plant can't absorb the water, too high and the oxygen concentration begins to fall off.
What is temperature?
Latin, "monster" and beacuse the fruit tastes of banana, pineapple, and strawberry
What is Monstera deliciosa?
The process by which plants use chorophyl to convert light into glucose (or energy).
What is photosynthesis?
Most organisms within the plant family absorb a wide spectrum of light, excepting this color.
What is green?
This popular medium for rooting plants has over 380 accepted species, is often found in nature as ground cover, and can hold up to 50 times its weight in moisture.
What is sphagnum moss?
Substrates prone to compacting will require frequent aeration, insuring roots have adepquate access to this essential element.
What is oxygen?
Greek, literally "lover of tree"
What is Philodendron?
This term referrs to cloning or replicating plants, commonly in water or moss.
What is propagation?
This popular type of lighting is known for being incredibly energy efficient due to it's relatively cool running temperature.
What is an LED light?
The porous nature of this popular material, literally "cooked earth", makes for pots excellent at wicking moisture away from its contents.
What is terracotta?
The most common cause of houseplant death, this technical term is associated with root rot and standing water.
What is drowning?
Spathiphyllum, because their green or white spathe (flower), commonly known as this.
What is Peace Lily?
A result of programed cellular death, this is the term for holes that grow in large and mature leaves, like on monstera.
What are fenestrations?
Without the use of grow lights, a plant's ability to "see" this is the best indication of adequate lighting.
What is the open sky?
This cheap soil additive has no significant indications for growing plants, is the most common additive in commercial soil, and is a significant contributor to climate change.
The amount of force created by gravitational attraction, also known as this, is the most reliable indicator that a pot needs watering.
What is weight?
Now epipremnum aureum, they were once classified under their own genus.
What is pothos?
Many common houseplants are epiphytes, meaning in nature they grow on this.
What is tree bark?
Used to measure the amount of light a plant gets. Most common house plants neeed at least 400 of this lighting unit, commercially up to 8000, abbreviated fc.
What is foot candles?
Responsible for nearly all houseplant deaths, this often overlooked substrate quality is more often associated with "a pot with holes."
What is drainage?
Along with the plants size and root mass, the largest factor in determining watering frequency is the amount of this.
What is amount of light?
There are over 500 accepted species of this tropical plant in the dogbane family, known for smaller leaves and clusters of colorful and fragrent flowers that grow from peduncles.
What is Hoya?
Also known as phototropism, this phenomenon is a plants abilty to move towards what? It is easily seen in a plant that has been recently rotated.
What is turning towards a light source?