Does physical contact with plants help?*
Me and the Angel Oak St. James Island, SC. No, I didn’t jump the ropes. This was taken before they took steps to keep nuts like me from getting too close.
* I know I’m a couple days early with this one but I’ve got a full Monday coming up…..going out to some garden centers to peddle my new book!
Like it or not, we live in a world full of labels and titles. “So, what do you do?” The person asking this question isn’t concerned that you mow your own lawn, do laundry, or feed your pet. If this is someone you’ve just met, they want to know what you do to pay your electric bill. AKA, your profession.
I’ve never really considered myself an artist or a writer because that isn’t what I went to college for. I’ve always liked to draw but I can name six neighbors who are much more talented in that department than this guy. I began writing shortly after being hired at The University of Tennessee because I was told that is what “real” professors do. Research. My pieces were mostly fluffy and targeted at popular press magazines. But I DID have a few peer-reviewed writings so that my annual reviews with my department head go a little smoother.
Many folks have asked me over the past two years “So, how’s retirement?” “Great!” I respond. The next part isn’t something I verbalize but if I did, it’d go something like this, “I can write whatever the &%$#@! I want and I don’t have to fact-check.” (kinda like the news you get you get on your phone). My “to-do” list today: write another meandering intro to my garden blog post before finally getting to the point. Check!
Today’s topic: Do plants respond to human touch? Speaking as one of many odd, right-brained, tree-hugging folks on this globe I say “You betcha!” (feel free to add your own Fargo accent on that). When I was a kid, there was a talk show host by the name of Mike Douglas (hopping for some nods out there). I’ve slept many nights since then but I remember watching an episode with my mom and some plant guy was talking about how smacking the trunks of young fruit trees simulated injury and prompted the plant to send nutrients from its roots up to help heal the “wound” thus producing more fruit (talk shows has much better content back then).
We didn’t have any fruit trees but there was a European Mountain Ash that the city had recently planted as part of its free tree program in our front yard. I proceeded to go out with a rolled-up newspaper and wailed on that trunk. If my mom were still alive, she would vouch for this nonsense. Short story, that tree had so many berries on it the next fall that it could hardly hold its branches up. Other trees of the same species nearby, planted at the same time didn’t have near the display. Scientific proof? Nope. As I said before, I just write whatever pops into this brain. BUT, I DO think that plants like to be touched. (I can hear some of you now. You’re a little touched, my friend.)
In preparing to construct this nonsense, I DID Google this topic and there are boatloads of forums and discussions about this subject but to let you get on with your busy day, I’ll just toss in here according to a study at Washington State University in Pullman, one article states “Even without nerves, plants can sense when someone touches them and when it lets go.” Many, many words follow but I just had to get that out there.
I have a Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillate that I bought as a puppy to then go in my daughter’s roommate’s chameleon’s habitat. I thought it would be a cute addition. After several repottings, that plant is now 4’ tall. I LOVE touching this little tree but then I’m a very tactile person. Another grass that comes to mind is Mexican Feather grass Nassella tenuissima. Another one I cannot keep my hands off. I can hear some of you out there. “Garry, sounds like YOU like touching the plants but why are you assuming it’s reciprocal?” You got me! Jigs up.
Two I can’t help but put my hands on. Japanese umbrella pine left and Mexican feathergrass on right.
One last thing. We have two spectacular Lace leaf Japanese Maples in our garden. One out front and one in back. The one in the back looked terrible about this time last year. I did put some magic beneficial bacteria solution around the roots and it now looks fantastic BUT, I also love to give each branch a little shake as I go by to let him know I still care and to say thank you for bouncing back. Science will say it’s the bacteria supplement but me being a little touched (there, I’ll admit it) likes to imagine that my contact with this plant has also helped with its rejuvenation.
Alright, this may be a bit of a commercial for the product but I still say WE brought this tree back from the brink.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VbukzTw17h0?feature=share
Side Note #1: I put an asterisk next to the subtitle. That is to remind me to remind you that perhaps there’s no data to prove that touching plants helps the plant but I can promise you that it helps me!
Side Note #2: I’ve heard from several of you that you enjoyed last week’s post on beneficial insects. As usual, I just touched the tip of the iceberg on that subject. Since then, I did a little digging and found that insects in general are in a big decline. Something like a 60% reduction in the last 20 years! Even if you hate them, the world needs insects. Those companies that plop their little signs in yards after “eradicating” mosquitos have a lot to do with this but truth be told, we ALL do!
Please think twice before just blasting the air with insecticide. I’ve yet to hear of one that is super selective and only kills one species. Just something to think about.
Till next time,
GO SHAKE HANDS WITH YOUR PLANTS!
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