5 minutes
THE Prince of Wales does it, and so does Sarah Darwin, descendent of the progenitor of the theory of evolution and concept of natural selection.
They are among many plant lovers who talk to their shrubs, shoots and seedlings.
Of course, it is not like striking up a conversation with a bonsai sitting on a shelf near a window, but firm believers such as Wong Hooi Yean swears that a little pep talk helps to boost the growth of plants.
Wong’s first introduction to the concept that one could talk to plants came when she joined a meditation class.
“My meditation teacher, who is a nature lover, taught me Nature Meditation and do more gardening to practice patience, stay grounded and focused in the present, “ she told theSun.
She first realised that her voice and emotions could influence a plant’s growth when she tried to grow mint.
At the time, she just started work at a TV station after calling it quits as a concert organiser.
“I was not feeling good about myself, and all that negativity manifested in the plant,” she said.
“I kept asking my mint plant why it was so slow to grow. Then came the ‘A-ha’ moment. I realised that my negativity was reflected in my voice, and it had affected its growth,” she said.
To give the plant some relief, she stopped watering it or talking to it for two weeks.
“When I looked at it again, I was surprised that it had flourished. I realised that I had to give myself and my plant some space to grow.”
Today, Wong’s apartment is like a nursery.
“I have about 200 plants in here,” she said.
Her success with her own plants led to her first commission as a plant whisperer.
A friend, who owned a large collection of bonsai, learned about Wong’s connection with plants and hired her to find out what was troubling his plants.
“I found out that my friend’s plants were being attacked by pests”, she said.
Wong’s day at work revolves around talking to plants and asking them about their well-being and what they need.
“For instance, after talking to a plant, I could tell that it needs a new pot because there was no longer enough space for its roots.
She conceded that intuition plays a part when finding answers. All the same, she gets it right most of the time.
Wong also checks the soil and water to ensure they are at an optimum level. She also advises growers on how to check if their plants are happy.
She loves taking time to observe her plants everyday. It’s a mindful way to start the day and gives her time to familiarise herself with her plants’ needs instead of what she wants the plants to be.
“Every day there are slight changes that take place in the life of a plant. I observe its habits, monitor new growth, and detect when something isn’t right. The sooner I’m able to identify diseases, pests, soil issues, or improper light – the sooner I’ll be able to aid in keeping my plant happy and healthy practically too, “ she said.
Wong is also a personal plant purchaser and is often hired to find a plant suitable for a specific home.
“When buying plants, I will look at my clients’ lifestyle. For instance, I would recommend a plant that needs only minimum care if my client is a very busy person.
“Working as a concert organiser for 15 years, life was all about work and the stress that came with it. Switching to a new role at a TV station did not make a lot of difference.”
Now, Wong has finally found the peace she longed for, through meditation and chatting with her plants.
