Hello! My name is John Pickford, I have ONE and a very short question to ask, Without sounding Foolish!, Is it or is not normal to talk to plants?? Each and Every Individual I have asked so far gave me the same reply, All said Yes!! Could you professional people send me a reply as to why and How this occurs? Thank-You and I'll be waiting for your response! Sincerely John Pickford, 140 Monroe Street, Mastic, New York!!

Johnnie! I think most plant people consider their plants almost like their *children* - and so yes, we talk to them.
'If you don't bloom this year, you're outta here' has been heard in my yard....

Hi, John, welcome.

I don't talk to mine out loud much, but I do pet some of them as I walk by (seriously, I do).

Like talking to our pets, we also talk to our plants. I usually only talk to mine that are not doing well.......you know, a pep-talk. It might not help the plants, but it helps our psyche.

Strictly speaking . .. most of us here at ATP are not truly "plant professionals" but I do think most gardeners who invest time, energy, creativity and all the other efforts that go into growing plants have a big nurturing instinct going for them.

So, yes I'd say most gardeners I know do talk to plants. To be honest, I don't think it benefits the plant nearly as much as it benefits the gardener, though.

Johnnie,
Yes, I talk to my plants. Mostly I say things like, "Oh, what has been eating you?" or "Come on and bloom already; I ain't gettin' any younger!" and occasionally, "Oh, lots of pretty seeds, thank you very much". I have been known to reprimand some energetic plants by saying, "Can't you see the property line? Stay in your own yard, thank you very much".

Some people are of the opinion that in talking to the plants we encourage plant growth by the carbon dioxide we exhale.

And while this next bit is not part of your question...some people also stroke their young seedlings as they grow indoors as it makes the stems stronger - the movement simulates being blown about by light breezes out of doors.

Note; Since not everyone who reads this site is a member of ATP, you might consider removing the physical address from your post. Oops, and I think your climate zone is closer to 7a than 1a. Yikes, how cold is a 1a zone, brrrr.

If talking to plants is good, would singing to them be better?

Not if I were doing the "singing", Pork. My neighbors would call the cops if I sang. You know, disturbing the peace stuff.

well I talk to my plants something fierce. Not only that I talk to the rocks. I talk to bugs, birds, snakes, whoever. I talk to me, myself and I also. So much so that the neighbors probably think I'm nuts. But I don't care. I got a poodle, I just rattle on and on to him....


-} This is ME in my yard trying to decide where to plant the plant I just bought because it was nice, and I don't have the faintest idea where it will fit... Yeah, I'm certifiable...

I am not sure I talk to my plants, but I do talk to insects, wild birds, and our domestic animals. I read some place what Greene mentioned about releasing more carbon dioxide around the plant. I cannot remember where I saw the tidbit. I tried talking to my Christmas cactus more, but then forgot about it.

In what country is your Christmas cactus native? Oh, I'll check the Wiki page...Schlumbergera.
Ah, I see the problem...Try speaking in Portuguese and see if the plant responds.

I talk to my plants, I smile at then, I play music to my plants, but I sing to myself. If they listen to my singing, more power to them! My plants are part of my family. Like most families, I am closer to some than others, I see some more often than others but I love them all and I mourn any losses.

Of course I talk to my plants ... also my cat, the neighbors' dogs, the birds, bees, butterflies, etc.

I talk to the deer, too. I have one doe and her fawn who visit me almost everyday. I call the doe, MAMA GIRL and the fawn, BABY. Strangely enough, they have left my plants alone.

If I see a groundhog anywhere near my plants ... I get really LOUD. Over the years they have wiped out more plants than I can count.

And slugs ... don't get me started. Die! Die! you disgusting creatures!

Love the avatar photograph, Jane.

to ATP, Johnnie

Yes, I talk to my plants, the same way I talk to my 2 cats and dog. See, I have babied most of my plants from either seed or cutting on, so I have developed a special bond with them. Others are special gifts, or a much wanted acquisition. Now, what I tell them ..... well, sorry, that's private!

good think plants can't talk.

Uh, oh. The originator of this thread already things we're nuts, and now we're going to talk about how our plants talk back to us?

Let's face it, talking to plants is all part of the horticulture therapy program we're all into.

I think talking to and playing music to your plants is simply a reflection of the amount of time one spends with them. You are not just rushing through a job watering them, you take the time to care for them, you clean them up, you take pictures etc. And plants which are lovingly cared for, hopefully/usually are in better shape than those which are somewhat neglected. Most of the time anyway.....

Absolutely talk to my plants. I talk to everything. If it is a living thing I believe it communicates with the universe in some way. So while they may not understand my language they can feel my intention.

Johnnie

But plants DO talk to us. Not verbally but they show us when they are happy, or in need, or hurting. If you listen you will hear it.