BBC Gardeners' World

Pricking out/off

The transplanting of seedlings from the seedbeds in which they were sown, to new containers. The term is derived from the old practice of pricking small holes in the soil in preparation for the planting of the young seedlings.

Procumbent

Trailing low along the ground, but not rooting at nodes or tip. From the Latin procumbens.

Propagation

The processes of increasing the number of plants, including grafting, division, cuttings, seeding, budding and air layering.

Prostrate

Refers to creeping plants that lie flat along the ground, eg, creeping thyme, creeping phlox, blue rug juniper.

Pruinose

A powdery coating that gives a plant a frosted appearance.

Pruning

The cutting back of leaves or branches for four main reasons:

1) To remove dead, injured or diseased parts.

2) To control or direct growth.

3) To improve the yield of flowers or fruit.

4) To ensure premium growth conditions by allowing more light and air to reach the centre.

Pseudobulb

A bulb-like swelling that occurs at the base of epiphytic plants, such as orchids, where nutrients and water are stored. It's not a true bulb.

Psyllids

Also known as jumping plant lice, psyllids are small insects that feed on plants.

Puberulent

Refers to plants that are covered in fine, soft hairs or down. Also see Pubescent.

Pubescent

Hairy. Foliage that's covered in short, dense, soft hairs.