My Garden

talking to plants

Last post 01-07-2009 11:16 PM by richardpeeej. 46 replies.

• 17/06/2009 09:11 AM

  In reply to

  Roundelder Location: NW Cumbria Joined on: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 176

  Reply | Contact Now then, there are those that say the reason plants will grow better if spoken to at close quarters s the carbon dioxide that you breath over them as you speak. I like to think it goes deeper than that. However, we have to be careful here because the veggies out there could be put off eating their staples if we promote them to "being" status. If you have not done so I suggest you read "The Secret Life of Plants" (Tompkins/Bird) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Life-Plants-Peter-Tompkins/dp/0060915870  I read this book years ago (1974!) and while some of it may seem a tad far fetched it is still in print and I have to say a jolly interesting read. Me, well I will just pop out and tell my tomatoes & peppers to keep an eye on the greenhouse while I am at work!    Roundelder Wide awake Roundelder

• 17/06/2009 09:26 AM	In reply to
  Kesira Location: Elkesley, Nottinghamshire Joined on: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 33	Reply | Contact  You know, this all makes me remember the episode of the 'Goode Life' where Tom and Barbara have their plant experiment.  Very funny. Gardening Tip When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it was a valuable plant.

• 17/06/2009 09:46 AM	In reply to
  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,977	Reply | Contact So, what happened in the story, Kesira?

• 17/06/2009 10:46 AM

  In reply to

  Kesira Location: Elkesley, Nottinghamshire Joined on: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 33

  Reply | Contact  Hehe I can do better than that.  I managed to find the episode on you tube.  It's in a few piecees but very funny and perfect for this thread.    This is part one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpcPuCEHyUY Part Two http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri0QVkjN9Hw&feature=related Last part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Mg2gkV48Y&feature=related Gardening Tip When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it was a valuable plant.

• 17/06/2009 11:02 AM	In reply to
  Roundelder Location: NW Cumbria Joined on: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 176	Reply | Contact methinks the scriptwriters must have been familiar with the book I have mentioned!   Wide awake Roundelder

• 17/06/2009 11:33 AM	In reply to
  Kesira Location: Elkesley, Nottinghamshire Joined on: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 33	Reply | Contact  Hehe Oh I would imagine they were.  I think the book was from around 74/75 and the Goode Life was also 70's so I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.  Either way though, it's funny and apt. Gardening Tip When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it was a valuable plant.

• 17/06/2009 11:37 AM	In reply to
  Roundelder Location: NW Cumbria Joined on: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 176	Reply | Contact Oh, golly gosh! Was it really that long ago? That IS a bit scary! Wide awake Roundelder

• 17/06/2009 11:39 AM	In reply to
  Kesira Location: Elkesley, Nottinghamshire Joined on: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 33	Reply | Contact  Isn't it just!  Mindyou, I can at least take heart at only being a child then, not that my teenage son beleives I was ever a child... Gardening Tip When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it was a valuable plant.

• 22/06/2009 11:01 AM

  In reply to

  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,977

  Reply | Contact Thanks for the links, Kesira, I'll have a look at those.  I found a page on the Wisley page that said they were doing a study into whether talking to plants makes a difference or not (http://www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/gardens/wisley/VoiceWisley.html). Thing is, the talk was held on April the 1st so I'm not sure if it's serious or not, though the page does say to check back for their results. They haven't posted any results, though. Does anyone know any more about it?

• 22/06/2009 05:52 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,743	Reply | Contact Yes I think it was a wind up!!!!! otherwise they would be holding demonstrations of how to talk to the plants and all that cobblers. digger

• 22/06/2009 06:45 PM	In reply to
  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,977	Reply | Contact 'I think it was a wind up!!!!!'' Or maybe not, digger: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5602419/Womens-voices-make-plants-grow-faster-finds-Royal-Horticultural-Society.html

• 22/06/2009 07:44 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,743	Reply | Contact Well the article says that the women made them rise over an inch in length, that can be done by a man but science has probably proven that it is better left to a woman to do. It's amazing what women can do isn't it, my OH is capable of most things and she is a strong woman indeed but she doesn't talk to my tomatoes, never goes into the greenhouse you see. digger

• 22/06/2009 09:05 PM	In reply to
  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,977	Reply | Contact If it really does work, then maybe it's because women generally have higher pitched voices and that's what the plants respond to?

• 22/06/2009 09:25 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,743	Reply | Contact I have heard it said that animals respond in a more positive way to womens voices because they are softer and more gentle than a mans voice. digger

• 22/06/2009 09:30 PM	In reply to
  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,977	Reply | Contact I suppose it depends on what they're used to. Our dog thought my partner was God, though he got obvious pleasure at being cooed over by women. I expect the plants listen to me more, though.