Do plants like music?
Music has always been a huge part of my life and I am sure
that the inclusion of it has helped me grow, nurtured and healed me it both
good and difficult times.
I was brought up on a mix of opera and classical records
from my parents (when they weren’t listening to Bill Haley and singing along to
1950’s musicals) and later my eldest brother introduced me to Sgt Peppers. I
found my own direction in folk music and jazz, which were all linked into the
progressive rock genre and I was drawn into that too being whisked away on 45
minute journeys into my subconscious with the concept LP’s that were popular at
the time.
I embraced the punk scene in the 70’s after hearing New Rose
by the Dammed at our local youth club. I’d just started going out with a girl
called Rose at the time which made it all the more powerful. Punk to me was
more of an opportunity to voice disenchantment at what was happening around us,
more of a rock against the establishment and fuelling socialist political
agendas than wearing safety pins, although I did sport a pair of bright red
trousers briefly.
It was the start of the move away from the controlling
multinational music companies to the small independent labels under the
umbrella of Rough Trade records.
The rise of over 500 new Indie labels gave rise to some
great new music, notably the rise of electronic pop music in the 80’s, which
was great to dance to. Every wave and change of the music industry is a
constant joy to me and I love hearing new bands and styles. I wonder if plants
are the same.
Research
It is claimed by various ‘researchers’ that plants, like us,
respond to different music styles and notes. Although I am sure they don’t have
the power to reminisce and evoke memories, they apparently do have favourites. Most of the research comes before a new
product is released on the market so it’s always a good idea to have a look
behind the headlines to see if there is someone trying to make money out of it.
In the case of the Sonic Bloom, there is. A bloke called Dan
Carlson tells us that his high frequency sounds help plants to ‘breath’ better,
activating stomata under the leaves which helped absorb more nutrients. Sonic Bloom works on frequencies and Dan
claims that the introduction of sound will eliminate world hunger and help use
less herbicide and insecticide. Bold claims indeed.
I’m quite sure if it works then the sounds of birds chirping
in the trees with be stimulation and a harmonic trigger enough for the plants
without buying into the products, or even turn up the radio outside.
Most plant music research is done using either classical or
rock music, which is pretty limiting. There’s no denying which style of music
is preferred. Google “Plant Music” and you will be inundated with downloads,
CD’s and records all full of classical music. It’s been said that this type of
music can help relax people so the assumption is that it will relax plants,
helping them to grow. Try listening to Prokofiev - Dance of the Knights (theme
from the Apprentice) loud and tell me if that sooths your sole. If I were a
seed I wouldn’t germinate if that was playing.
The stimulation idea could have come from Dorothy Retallack,
who, in 1973 wrote a book called ‘The Sound of Music and Plants’ that intertwines
music with science, philosophy and religion to help us understand the way
plants grow. You won’t find the book on the science shelves; it’s neatly filed
in the “New Age” section of the bookshop, which might be where most of the
research should go.
My favourite piece of music specifically written for plants
has been made by Mort Garson, who in 1976 released an LP called ‘Mother Earth’s
Plantasia’ It’s all original
compositions made on a fabulous Moog analogue synthesiser. It’s moody, atmospheric, fun and I have been
listening to it a lot (for research purposes) If the plants don’t like it I
think I’ve grown an inch.
How could I not with
these great titles:
- Symphony for a Spider Plant.
- Ode to an African Violet.
- You don’t have to walk a Begonia.
- A mellow mood for a Maidenhair.
Regardless of what the plants like, I think it’s probably
more effective if we look at our own moods first before subjecting out musical
tastes on a begonia or radish. If we listen to music that cheers us up we are
more likely to pay attention to the veggies and flowers
