Vernalisation means providing plants prematurely and artificially with the temperatures that they require to grow, thereby forcing them to bloom earlier in the season than would normally happen. Vernalisation is derived from the Latin word, ver, meaning spring. Thus vernalisation is literally an attempt to make something more spring-like by artificial means. However vernalisation can be applied to any season of the year such as chilling bulbs for autumn plantings. Also Known As: forcing

The process in which floral induction in some plants is promoted by exposing the plants to low temperatures for a certain length of time.

The transition of a vegetative plant or shoot to a floral state following an extended exposure to low temperatures. Verticil: Verticillate: Whorl, set of parts radiating from axis, as in flowers of the Labiatae.