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Can talking to plants bear fruit? | Can talking to plants bear fruit? |
(41 minutes later) | |
Much-derided claims that talking to plants can help them grow are being tested in a serious study at the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) gardens. | Much-derided claims that talking to plants can help them grow are being tested in a serious study at the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) gardens. |
For 30 days tomato plants at Wisley in Surrey will "listen" to voices through MP3 headphones attached to their pots. | For 30 days tomato plants at Wisley in Surrey will "listen" to voices through MP3 headphones attached to their pots. |
Growth will be measured before, during and after the experiment and compared to "control plants" left in silence. | Growth will be measured before, during and after the experiment and compared to "control plants" left in silence. |
Wisley gardener Colin Crosbie says there is "solid evidence" certain sounds encourage healthy growth. | Wisley gardener Colin Crosbie says there is "solid evidence" certain sounds encourage healthy growth. |
"We're taking it very seriously. A lot of people are thinking this is an April Fool but it's quite serious," he told the BBC. | "We're taking it very seriously. A lot of people are thinking this is an April Fool but it's quite serious," he told the BBC. |
"We want to get a great diversity of voices. There's great variation in the human voice, and there might just be the perfect voice for talking to plants. | "We want to get a great diversity of voices. There's great variation in the human voice, and there might just be the perfect voice for talking to plants. |
There are many examples where plants have been threatened when not performing... and they tend to respond Colin CrosbieGarden superintendent, Wisley | There are many examples where plants have been threatened when not performing... and they tend to respond Colin CrosbieGarden superintendent, Wisley |
As far as the tomatoes (Gardener's Delight) are concerned, he went on: "We've tried to pick a variety that will grow at an even rate. | As far as the tomatoes (Gardener's Delight) are concerned, he went on: "We've tried to pick a variety that will grow at an even rate. |
"We're having fun too, but it could be very beneficial." | "We're having fun too, but it could be very beneficial." |
On Wednesday the RHS will hold auditions to try to find "the voice of Wisley" and Britain's most plant-friendly human sound. | On Wednesday the RHS will hold auditions to try to find "the voice of Wisley" and Britain's most plant-friendly human sound. |
The recordings are expected to include poems, stories, nursery rhymes, songs, Shakespearean verses and even extracts from John Wyndham's novel The Day of the Triffids. | The recordings are expected to include poems, stories, nursery rhymes, songs, Shakespearean verses and even extracts from John Wyndham's novel The Day of the Triffids. |
Mr Crosbie said: "We know that sounds of between 125hz and 250Hz can affect gene expression in plants and help them grow but this has only been tested using music. | Mr Crosbie said: "We know that sounds of between 125hz and 250Hz can affect gene expression in plants and help them grow but this has only been tested using music. |
"For the first time we will be able to advise people not only whether it's worth talking to their plants but exactly how it should be done. | "For the first time we will be able to advise people not only whether it's worth talking to their plants but exactly how it should be done. |
Prince Charles was lampooned for admitting talking to his plants | |
"We may even be able to standardise the practice by recording the perfect voice for those less confident in conversing with their plants." | "We may even be able to standardise the practice by recording the perfect voice for those less confident in conversing with their plants." |
Toby Buckland, lead presenter on BBC Gardeners' World, said: "A lot of thinking behind this is that if a gardener is relaxed, it helps the plants grow better. | |
"Plants do pick up on your stress, that's something that's well known, and if you're not confident, it's as if it's a self-fulfilling prophecy for failure. | |
"As soon as you're relaxed, it comes together. It's well worth looking into and I'd be interested to see the results." | |
In a television interview in 1986, Prince Charles famously said it was "very important" to talk to plants and that they "respond" when spoken to. | In a television interview in 1986, Prince Charles famously said it was "very important" to talk to plants and that they "respond" when spoken to. |
His views were ridiculed by many commentators but are shared by Mr Crosbie. | |
"I do believe talking to plants works. Gardeners are quite tactile and there are those of us that talk to our plants to actively encourage them," he said. | "I do believe talking to plants works. Gardeners are quite tactile and there are those of us that talk to our plants to actively encourage them," he said. |
"There are many examples where plants have been threatened when not performing, 'right, if you don't do it, this will be the chop for you', and they tend to respond." | "There are many examples where plants have been threatened when not performing, 'right, if you don't do it, this will be the chop for you', and they tend to respond." |
In 2007 South Korean scientist Mi-Jeong Jeong claimed playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata to rice plants encouraged quicker growth and blossoms to bloom earlier. | In 2007 South Korean scientist Mi-Jeong Jeong claimed playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata to rice plants encouraged quicker growth and blossoms to bloom earlier. |
The RHS is Britain's leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture. | The RHS is Britain's leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture. |
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