Gardening with Wally Richards: Plants and the human relationship

Lets firstly look at a few studies that shows that there is more to plant/human interrelationships than ‘meets the eye’.

For instance the studies done to measure the changing electrical measurements of a house plant using a device like a lie detector; where the owner/care giver of the house plant a hundred miles away cuts his finger and at that precise instance there is a sharp movement/reaction on the monitoring meter.

This showed that the plant has a connection to the person whom is the life support for the plant’s well being and any harm coming to that person would be a possible life threatening to the plant.

Remember that house plants unlike plants growing outdoors, are completely dependent on their owner for their well being just as your pets and children are.

Multiple studies indicate that plants and their human care givers share a unique form of connection, shaped through attentive care and interaction, with implications for both plant health and human well being.

Empirical studies demonstrate that the relationship between plants and care givers goes beyond basic maintenance.

Attentive activities like watering, pruning, and even talking to plants are associated with improved plant vitality and help care givers feel a sense of calm and accomplishment.

Research on human touch shows that light stroking of leaves can replicate natural stimuli, strengthening the plant’s stems while providing therapeutic benefits to the care giver.

We stroke our cat or dog for the same mutual pleasure as above.

Then there is what are termed ‘Tree Huggers’ laughed at by some, but scientifically proven.

Hugging a tree offers a variety of mental, emotional, and physical benefits, as supported by both scientific research and personal experiences.

Direct contact with trees promotes relaxation, emotional well-being, and a sense of connection to nature, all of which can contribute to improved overall health.

Tree hugging can increase oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine levels, hormones and neurotransmitters that help people feel happier, calmer, and more connected.

Regular contact with trees, such as hugging, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and encourage mindfulness and self-reflection.

Emotional release and grounding are often reported, as trees have a stable, supportive presence that helps people process and remove negative feelings.

Studies show that spending time in forests and hugging trees may lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve immune system function, and accelerate recovery from illness or trauma.

Breathing near trees exposes people to phytoncides, natural plant chemicals that can boost immunity and contribute to overall health.

Phytoncides are airborne antimicrobial compounds, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that plants, especially trees, release to protect themselves from insects, fungi, and bacteria.

When humans inhale phytoncides, research shows they can enhance the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, potentially improving immune function, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and improving mood.

These benefits are a key component of “forest bathing,” a practice that involves immersing oneself in a forest atmosphere to reap the therapeutic effects of these plant-derived compounds

Hugging trees triggers a relaxation response in the body, slowing breathing and heart rate, and may help reduce pain and improve sleep patterns.

In summary, hugging a tree is a simple practice that can yield remarkable benefits for mental clarity, physical health, and emotional stability, while deepening one’s connection to the environment.

Ok many readers will already know the benefits of our plant associations as gardeners and the above just affirms that it not a conspiratorial theory.

(By the way you likely have noted that many things that are called ‘conspiratorial theories’ are later prove to be correct.)

A reader phoned me this week and during the conversation she said that she is the only person that she knows of that can’t grow a Zucchini successfully.

Now here is my reasoning as to why…. Because of likely some past failure in growing Zucchini which was likely as a result of environment conditions and not what the gardener did or didn’t do; and also the person believes that every one can easily grow zucchini, so the mind frame set is that she can’t.

This thought pattern is conveyed to the zucchini plant and thus it is programmed to fail.

Our thoughts, moods and attitudes are conveyed to every thing around us and has an effect on all life forms in our proximity.

A grumpy person enters a room where there are other people and the mood in the room becomes negative as apposed to a person coming in that’s in a happy state of being will influence those around them likewise.

I have on the odd occasion being in the presents of a well known actors or musicians and the aura around them when they are doing their thing is fantastically powerful.

So all the gardener needs to do is change their belief and sometimes to do this you need to use a little magic to create a positive attitude.

Like if I said to the gardener start with a zucchini seed or two and soak in Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) for one hour and then place in the spot where you want it to grow, I guarantee it will grow.

Then when it germinates and appears you must spray it once a week with MBL and it will grow well for you, I guarantee it.

Then each morning when it flowers with both male and female flowers you must pick a male flower, remove the petals and carefully dab the stamen onto the centre of the female flower, then a fruit will grow to maturity.

Do this as new female flowers open in the morning and you will be very successful.

The person believes in me, having this magic power now they will have such success they will be over the moon.

Which another aspect, ‘Gardening by cycles of the moon’.

Hence… in lunar gardening, the best time to sow seeds depends on the plant: sow leafy plants like lettuce and spinach during the New Moon and the First Quarter (waxing crescent to half moon), and plant seeds that grow inside fruits or seeds above ground, such as tomatoes, beans, and squash, during the First Quarter and Second Quarter (half moon to full moon)

Now as a retired nursery person I would be sowing seeds every day of the month, no matter where the moon was at and all would be equally successful.

I have in the past also asked other nurserymen if they noticed any difference in germination as to where the moon is at? All said no.

But it does work cause if you believe that at that special time you sow the right type of seed for that time, it will work cause you believe. Your positive thoughts is what makes it successful.

Another example I read about was two men that knew each other both came down with the same cancer.

They had two different specialists to consult, one’s doctor said your in the later stages and there is nothing much we can do, you only have a few months to live.

The other man’s doctor said, not a problem we can beat this and recommended home grown healthy food, sunlight and exercise and his cancer disappeared, where the other chap believed his doctor also and died as he was instructed to.

Your mind and a controlled imagination are very powerful tools.

P.S. Did you know that sniffing the rosemary plant can increase your memory by up to 75%?

Studies show that rosemary breaks down a chemical in the brain known as “acetylcholine,” a neurotransmitter and chemical messenger in your nervous system…

This allows nerve cells to communicate with one another more effectively…

Now where did I plant that rosemary plant?

Image credit: Natalie Blauth

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