Companion Planting - Do Plants Really LOVE One Another?

                             By the power of Photoshop, plants that 'love one' another.

How many of us humanize our pets and other animals?  If it was a show of hands I’ll bet the room would look like an Adele concert.    

This Anthropomorphism of things doesn’t stop at animals though. I’m sure there would be at least one or two of us that treat our plants in the same manner. They are great listeners after all and love you unconditionally if they are fed and watered. But do they really? 

   

One way we are told to care for our plants and help them develop is to use the “Companion Planting” method.  The idea of this is to mutually benefit each plant in some way. Certain herbs are said to keep away greenfly for example and others such as marigolds (the calendula type) and nasturtiums are so soft and delicious that blackfly with flock to them instead of your prized broccoli and beans. Where does this idea come from though and is there really any truth in it? The idea sounds great but proving it works is a different matter.

Origins

I would imagine the idea has been around for thousands of years. Plants were associated with the four elements (earth, air, fire and water) and/or signs of the zodiac.  One of the outcomes of this categorization was the agricultural practice of planting together those species that “love” each other anthropomorphism reflected in a few popular books and many posters. 

One of the earliest recorded manipulations of nature resembling companion planting was the ‘Three Sisters’ idea in north America. Corn, beans and squash were planted together. Beans are nitrogen fixers, corn stalks are strong enough to support the beans climbing and the squash vines provide shade for the soil, reduce evaporation and deter unwanted competition from other plant roots. The plants complement one another and don't compete for the same things. 

The phrase “companion plant” is now used in both science and pseudoscience, so that its intended meaning is unclear. The science of companion planting has become a little blurred over the years and often gets confused with myths, crystal formations, which apparently tells you which plants "love" each other and the plants rhythm and vibrations.  Because of this the phrase companion planting now gets more accurate definitions such as "Intercropping" or "polyculture" 

 

Ecologists now use the term "Plant Association" to define the natural relationships towards plants.

 Most research focuses on the attraction of beneficial insects to plants. Certain plants can also disrupt the ability of herbivore insects to find suitable host plants to lay eggs on. The theory is that it wastes the insect’s time laying eggs in the wrong places.  Many plants share mycorrhizal (known as the soil web) in the soil, so share nutrients such as nitrogen some plants are totally reliant on host plants for this. The venus fly trap gets it's nitrogen from flies, but that's another story. 

There are other ways plants benefit each other, a few dry climate plants accumulate salts so this could benefit salt sensitive plants while others take up heavy metals which decreases the toxic affect to more sensitive plants and then there are the nitrogen fixers.

Static

Plants don't move around themselves so need to adapt to their environments. Those with a narrow range of tolerances (such as my chamomile) will soon be pushed out by other more invasive plants of not enough sunshine, the wrong Ph. of the soil and a host of other issues. Some plants can even change their environment to suit their growing needs, large leaved plants can give the ground a lot of shade and stop other plants from challenging them for example. Changes such as this are happening all of the time in the landscape, ever changing and adapting. 

Linda Chalker Scott (from the Garden Professors Blog) really doesn’t like the term ‘Companion Planting’ but thinks there is validity in some of the practices.

“There is no scientific basis, however, for any of the several lists that exist describing “traditional companion plants”.  Like horoscopes, these lists may be fun to use, but they should not be perceived or promoted as scientifically valid any more than astrology.  Furthermore, those of us who value the science behind our horticultural practices should avoid using this phrase for precisely the same reason. 

The Bottom Line

•The phrase “companion plant” is too vague to be useful to plant scientists and professionals; “intercropping” and “plant associations” are more definable and credible

•Documented benefits from plant associations include physical, chemical, and biological alterations that can improve the establishment and survival of desired plant species

•Pseudoscientific, mythological and occult applications of “companion plantings” are not scientific and will damage your credibility as a professional

•Traditional “companion plant” charts have entertainment, not scientific, value  

For me it’s about diversity, experimenting and fun more than academic papers. But for now I won’t be recommending companion planting I’ll suggest “Intercropping” That should clarify things… or will it?

Seedlngs Damping Off

Clean pots and plenty of fresh air helps stop seedlings damping off

The first seeds have been sown. 

I’ve been staring at the seed packets for weeks next to the back door and decided they would have a better chance of growing if I actually put them in trays filled with compost. This isn’t always the case though as there are a LOT of things that would like to consume your valuable seeds.

For example, I planted peas and beans straight into the garden as they don’t really like being moved. The mice (or rats) digging them up didn’t care about moving them though. I’m not sure if rats and mice store food but if they do their pantry will be bursting full with my seeds. I have an emergency supply in case of a theft so all is good on that front. 

My broccoli, leaf salads, corgettes as well as a few sweet peas and sunflower seeds have gone under protection to save them from being munched by the night time visitors.

It’s not only things we can see that want a piece of the seeds. I’m cautious every year to keep the tunnel well ventilated come sowing and germinating time because a lack of air could cause the damping off disease we hear so much about in spring. 

At one time knowledgeable gardeners would recommend dousing the seeds/soil and sometimes yourself in something called Chestnut Compound to eradicate the problem. The main ingredient of the compound is copper sulphate and was used as a fungicide to control of powdery mildew, rust and blackspot on roses and rust and powdery mildews on other ornamentals and fruit and vegetables but like creosote- tar oils, green and yellow sulphur, paraquat, simazine, TBA and DDT , Chestnut Compound been banned from the garden centre shelves, so we need to look for simpler alternatives. Some folk are saying cinnamon powder works but to me that’s a bit like spraying  air freshener in a dirty room to mask the smell. The problem doesn’t go away.

Thankfully the best alternative doesn’t necessitate us diving into the kitchen cupboards or chemical shelf in the garage. 

It’s mainly a case of good hygiene practices.

What is Damping Off?

Damping off is a visible fungal growth on an emerging seedling. Infected seedlings rarely survive to produce a vigorous plant. Quite often a large section or an entire tray of seedlings is killed by damping off. Once plants have mature leaves and a well developed root system, they are better able to naturally resist the damping off pathogens. There is a critical period of growth between planting and maturity, where special care needs to be taken to protect sensitive seedlings.

A wide variety of vegetables and flowers can be affected by damping off. The fungi, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium, along with the water mould Pythium, are the most common pathogens responsible for damping off.

How to spot

There are some key observations apart from the plants just keeling over and dying.

• The seedlings could fail to emerge from the soil.
• Cotyledons (the first leaves produced by a seedling) and seedling stems are water soaked, soft, mush and may be discoloured grey to brown.
• Seedling stems become water soaked and thin, almost thread like, where infected.
• Young leaves wilt and turn green grey to brown.
• Roots are absent, stunted or have greyish brown sunken spots.
• Fluffy white cobweb like growth on infected plant parts under high humidity.
• Mushy tan spots indicate infection by the damping off fungi on this overwatered seed tray.

Biology

All of the pathogens responsible for damping off survive well in soil and plant debris. They can be introduced into the seedling tray in several ways.

The pathogens can live on pots, tools, and potting media that have been used in previous seasons and are not properly cleaned. Spores of Fusarium can be blown into the production area, carried by insects like fungus gnats, or move in splashing irrigation water. Pythium. is often introduced on dirty hands, contaminated tools or by hose ends that have been in contact with soil and debris. Once introduced to a seedling tray, the damping off pathogens easily move from plant to plant by growing through the potting media or in shared irrigation water.

Garden soil often contains low populations of the damping off pathogens. If garden soil is used to fill seedling trays, the damping off pathogens are likely to be present and initiate disease in the warm wet conditions favourable for seed growth. Seeds that are directly seeded into the garden can also suffer from damping off. Disease is particularly severe in garden seedlings when seeds are planted in soils that are too cool for optimal germination or when weather turns cool and wet after planting resulting in slow germination and growth. Which I why I tend to put off seed sowing outside until the last minute

Prevention

• Sterilize all used pots and trays in a solution of 10% household bleach by soaking for 30 minutes.
• Use new potting media to fill trays. Do no reuse potting mix or use garden soil or compost.
• Clean all tools that will be used in planting and maintenance of the seedlings. Store them in a clean location when not in use.
• Use a heating pad under trays to warm soil to 70-75°F for indoor plant production.
• Wait until garden soil has reached optimal temperature for germination before planting outdoors. This temperature varies depending on the plant (Table 1).
• Use a potting media with good drainage. Water to keep potting media moist but not soggy. Use pots with drainage holes to insure good drainage of excess water.
• Keep hoses and water heads off the floor.
• Use clean tepid water to water young seedlings. Cold water slows plant growth and increases the opportunity for infection.
• Resist the urge to apply fertilizer to seedlings until several true leaves have developed. Then apply 1/4 strength standard soluble fertilizer. Many potting mixes contain slow release fertilizer and do not require any fertilizer application.

Do Plants Like Music?

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

My First Floral Competition

I entered my first garden competition last week. 

I was given a small booklet to read a while ago from the Gardening Society in Derry who run a Spring Show every year. The show is mainly to highlight the natural beauty of daffodils but thankfully there were other categories, which for me was just as well as I don’t have any daffodils.

I do have a few tulips though so I thought why not?

There were certain stipulations to adhere to. The plants put into the show must have been grown by the entrant or looked after for at least three months before the show. No problems there as I haven’t bought a new plant of bulb for years.

There was a small admission of 30p for every entry but there was prize money to be won. The princely sum of £1, 80p and 50p were up for grabs for 1^st, 2nd, and 3^rd places, exciting stuff I hear you say. And you would be right.

Preparations for the show took me three weeks and it included all of the things I have either grown or made over the last three years in my quieter moments. I collected up some old hypertufa pots from the garden which has been covered with moss. I then dug up a tiny fern and potted up some choice tulips that have been nurtured over the last few years and some homemade Japanese moss balls (Kokedama) were also put into the mix. Added to that I cleaned up my self-propagated air plants, wiped the dust off some old driftwood stands to fix the plants onto and I was all set for the show. I was really pleased with the finished items, one of which also included some old rusty letters and a piece of torn cloth.  

I took the entries in the evening before. I looked through the brochure at the categories but couldn’t really find any to fit my creations.  There were a lot of possibilities, ranging from loads of daffodil classes, miniature, double, colours but like I say, I had no daffs. Then there were craft sections and floral displays and a massive table of silver cups to win, I didn’t realise it was that serious!

There was a fantastic show of colour throughout the hall. Each immaculate, blemish free flower was put into a small tube vase for display. 

When I got to the admission desk I asked the group members if they could put my things into categories. It was a bit like turning up to a ski resort with a snowboard, they just didn’t know what to do with rusty letters and old moss, driftwood and concrete. 

 

The organizer was very kind to me and put my work in categories with little or no competition.

The following day was judging day. The judges had a free run of the exhibits before the public were allowed in later in the day (probably something to do with tampering and sabotage, I told you it was exciting stuff) By the time I go through the doors the judges decisions had been written on the small cards in front of the displays.

One of my pieces got put into the arts and crafts section where there was a lot of competition from patchwork quilts, felting, wood turned bowls and crochet clothing, so no prizes there for my rust and driftwood old cloth display.  

The other displays were different. 

Fern Category: For my fern display mounted in hypertufa I got 2^nd place. There were two entrants for this.

Foliage Plant other than Fern Category: I got 1st and 2^nd place. I was the only entrant in this category so it was a clean sweep with my air plants stuck on old roots and broken ceramic holder. I didn’t win a silver cup but that’ll give me something to aim for next year.

 

I’m playing my cards close to my chest for the next Spring Show but I can tell you this, two days after the event I was on a plane to Amsterdam and sifting through all of the fabulous bulbs in the flower markets to find something really special. It sounds a bit obsessive I know, but the weekend break away had been booked since the beginning of the year but I’m not telling the Gardening Society that. I want them to know there’s going to be a big shake up next year. Moss balls and rare bulbs at the ready.