B AND B: Balled and burlap, a method in which plants are sold where the roots of a plant have been lifted and wrapped in burlap to keep it together until transplanted.

BACKBULB: refers to the propagation of an orchid. It is the old, dormant pseudobulb, it may be leafless, but will still produce a new plant.

BACKFILL: Replacing dirt from the original hole after planting.

BALE: The area of the trunk between the base of a tree and the lowest branch.

BARE ROOT: Plant which is lifted in the winter and sold wrapped inprotective covering, i.e. without soil

BASAL CUTTING: A cutting taken from the base of a plant.

BASAL ROSETTE: An arrangement of leaves radiating from a short stem at the ground surface. Most biennials have a rosette form during their first growing season.

BEARDED: A petal bearing a tuft or row of long hairs.

BEDDING PLANT: Plants, usually annuals, greenhouse grown and suitable for growing in beds or your garden. Quick, colorful flowers. Sometimes calles carpet bedding.

BELL JAR: An old term and glass container which is bell shaped. On the top is a knob for the use of protection of a delicate plant. Also known as a cloche.

BENEFICIAL INSECT: insects that prey on or parasitize pests that are considered harmful to gardens and plants.

BERM: A landscaping technique that is used to create interest, privacy, or screening. It may also divert water runoff. It is made by creating a mound of earth or a hill.

BICOLOUR: A flower with petals which bear two distinctly different colors.

BIENNIAL: plants that complete their life cycle in two years or growing seasons.

BIGENERIC: A hybrid produced by crossing two different genera.

BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE: a system in which the scientific name of a plant consists of two parts indicating the genus and species.

BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL: Using living organisms such as beneficial insects or parasites to destroy garden pests.

BLACK SPOT: A disease on the foliage of plants - primarily roses. It is caused by moisture. Can be reduced by planting resistant varieties.

BLADE: The expanded part of a leaf or petal.

BLANCH: To keep light from the leaves and stems, keeping the plant tissue soft

BLEEDING: The loss of sap from plant tissues which have been cut. Pruning when the plant is not dormant.

BLIND: The loss of the growing point, resulting in stoppage of growth. Also, failure to produce flowers or fruit.

BLOOM: A natural mealy or waxy coating covering the leaves of some house plants.

BLOSSOM END ROT: A cultural deficiency created by a lack of calcium. Very closely related to extreme temperatures, uneven watering, and root damage. Common in peppers and tomatoes.

BOG PLANT: Plants that preferred damp and most sail as their habitat.

BOLE: The area of a tree trunk that is from the ground to the first major branch.

BOLT: the tendency of cool-season plants to grow rapidly and produce seeds when exposed to warm temperatures.

BONEMEAL: A fertilizer made from crushed animal bones. It is a natural high phosphorus fertilizer and good for root development.

BONSAI: The art of miniaturizing trees by careful root and stem pruning and root restriction.

BOTTOM HEAT: An arrangement used in propagation. Usually electric heating cables will run through the base of the propagation medium. Great for seed germination and cuttings.

BOSS: A ring of prominent and decorative stamens.

BOTANICAL NAME: The Latin or "scientific" name of a plant, usually composed of two words, the genus and the species.

BOTTLE GARDEN: A form of terrarium in which a large and heavy glass container is used.

BOTTOM HEAT: Undersurface heat provided in the soil by electric cables or hot water pipes.

BRACT: a modified leaf, usually reduced in size or scale-like. Sometimes large and brightly colored.

BREAK: Production of a side shoot after removal of the growing point.

BROADCASTING: Refered to as scattering seed randomly by hand.

BROWN ROT: A fungus that is very common disease on fruit. Buy disease resistant varieties. Remove all infected parts of the plant.

BT: (Bacillus thuringiensis) A bacterium that causes disease in a variety of pest larvae, but is considered safe to humans, birds and pets, and plants.

BUD: Early stages of development of a flower or plant growth.

BULB: an underground storage organ made up of enlarged and fleshy leaf bases and a bud.

BUILDERS SAND: A substitute for horticultural sand. General purpose sand.

BULBIL: An immature small bulb formed on the stem of a plant.

BULBLET: An immature small bulb formed at the base of a mature bulb.

BUSH: A many branched small shrub with no distinct main stems.