MGN Technical Glossary

Breeding: The controlled reproduction of plants with the goal of selecting and perpetuating specific traits or characteristics.

Cloning: The process of creating genetically identical copies of a plant through asexual reproduction. This method involves taking a portion of a parent plant and generating new individuals with the same genetic material.

Container: A pot used for cultivating and holding plants, they play a crucial role in providing a controlled environment for plant growth. The use of containers allows for easy transport, efficient space utilization, and precise control.

Ex-plant: A cell, organ or a piece of tissue which has been transferred from a plant to a nutrient medium, and used as the starting material for tissue culture.

Grafting (spa: “injertar”): The process involves combining parts of different plants to grow as one.

Green industry: The sector of the economy involved in environmentally friendly or sustainable practices, particularly those related to the production and maintenance of plants, landscaping, horticulture, and other activities that contribute to environmental conservation.

Liner: Also referred to as “young plants”, a liner refers to a small plant that has been grown from seeds, cuttings, or tissue culture. Liners are typically used as the starting point for further growth and development, serving as the foundation for producing larger and more mature plants.

• 24 - 21 Liners (Ideal for landscapers, growers, or end customers).
• 72 Liner (Ideal for growers).
• 512 Liner (seed).

Meristematic Tissue: A type of plant tissue consisting of cells that have the capacity for continuous division and growth. These cells are found in specific regions of a plant and are responsible for the plant’s primary and secondary growth.

Mutation: A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence of a plant. A mutation is more likely to happen after cloning a plant hundreds of times, the result might be something unusual in the plant like a new color, size, or shape, turning it into a possible new product for a company.

Plug: A young plant that has been grown in a small cell or container, providing a controlled environment for plant growth before transplanting it into a final location.

Tissue culture: Is a biological technique used to propagate and grow cells, tissues, or organs in an artificial, controlled environment outside the organism’s natural environment.

Breeder: An entity that works in the creation of plants with specific traits, such as improved resistance to pests or diseases, unique colors, or a better adaptability to certain environmental conditions. The process includes the selection of two different species, to reproduce them and grow a specific plant with desirable characteristics.

Broker: An intermediary who facilitates the buying and selling of plants between growers, suppliers, and buyers. Brokers play a crucial role in connecting producers with customers, ensuring efficient transactions. They are responsible for negotiating prices, arranging logistics, and handling the paperwork associated with the sale of plants.

Grower: An individual or business responsible for cultivating and nurturing plants, typically specializing their operations in certain varieties of plants. Growers are involved in the entire life cycle of plants, from propagation to maturity. Growers may sell their plants directly to end-customers, but they also supply plants to nurseries, garden centers, retailers, and other businesses in the industry.

Grower-retailer: A business that not only cultivates and produces plants but also directly sells those plants to end customers.

Landscaper: A professional who specializes in the planning, design, and installation of outdoor spaces, with a focus on creating aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces.

Nursery: A facility dedicated to the propagation, cultivation, and sale of plants. Nurseries are primarily focused on the propagation and early cultivation of plants, providing optimal conditions for plant growth. The main goal of a nursery is to sell plants to end-customers.

Retailer: A business that sells goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption, they might also sell plants, bushes, or trees, converting them into a considerable customer.

Greenhouse: A facility with a controlled environment for cultivating plants, providing enclosed space with regulated temperature, humidity, light, and ventilation.

Retail Growing Center: A business that combines retail and plant growing operations in one location.

TC Labs (Tissue Culture Laboratories): Specialized laboratories where plant tissues are cultivated and manipulated under controlled conditions. The primary focus of a TC Lab is to propagate plants, by culturing small tissues into a nutrient-rich medium, or by cloning them. A TC Lab might also genetically modify plants to improve variety and commercialize plants with desirable characteristics.