Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Horticultural Science

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Horticultural Science 1. Pollination vs. Fertilization While these terms are related to plant reproduction, they have distinct meanings. Pollination refers to the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma, while fertilization is the fusion of the male and female gametes, resulting in seed formation. So, pollination is like the 'delivery' of pollen, and fertilization is the 'union' of gametes. 2. Annual vs. Perennial When it comes to plant lifecycles, these words often cause confusion. Annual plants complete their life cycle within a year, from seed to flower to seed. On the other hand, perennials live for multiple years, with flowers and seeds produced in each cycle. So, annuals are like 'one-time performers,' while perennials are 'everlasting.' 3. Pruning vs. Trimming Both these activities involve cutting plant parts, but they serve different purposes. Pruning is the selective removal of branches or stems to shape the plant, promote growth, or remove diseased parts. Trimming, on the other hand, is a more general term used for cutting any overgrown or unwanted plant parts. So, pruning is like 'precision cutting,' while trimming is 'general maintenance.' 4. Hybrid vs. Heirloom