Bach Flowers for Plants
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"A little love in a garden is far better than a cartload of manure" Dr Edward Bach
Did you know that Bach Flower Remedies are helpful for plants as well as people? I’m a keen gardener and during Plant Health Week (6th – 12th May) I would like to share a little of what I have learned since I started gardening 30 years ago.
Plants, like all living things, are part of nature. So they too have an inner life force which responds to the healing energies that nature yields. Research studies have found that plants are sentient and capable of responding to physical stimuli e.g. it has been shown that classical music aids growth. Plants have a level of consciousness and can respond intelligently to people, especially to touch.
How to Select remedies for Plants
Plants display their outlook through their appearance, and we therefore base our choice of remedies on this expression of need.
Some plants may have what is known as a “Type” remedy – a remedy it will need most often. Think about how the plant reacts when things go wrong. By giving the plant your attention you may see a pattern developing.
An Oak type is a plant that is normally solid, reliable and strong. We may notice this type in a plant displaying dogged persistence by growing at the same slow rate despite all that frost, blight and the dog may throw at it.
A Vervain type, noted for its over-enthusiastic nature leading to over-work and tension, may be seen in a plant which grows with great exuberance until it seems to burn itself out.
It is also a good idea to treat the gardener too! Consider the emotional outlook of the person looking after the plant; the same remedy may benefit both. A positive caring state of mind in the gardener may influence the plant for good too.
Rescue Remedy – for acute situations
Rescue Remedy is a combination remedy containing Star of Bethlehem, Impatiens, Rock Rose, Clematis and Cherry Plum. There is a cream version which also contains Crab Apple for its cleansing properties.
We might use Rescue Remedy for the shock of being uprooted accidentally or transplanted elsewhere. I had good results applying the cream to a damaged tree trunk as a salve to help heal the wound.
Typical situations where the Remedies might help
Transplanting: Try watering the remedies into the new hole before you put the plant in. Remedies to consider include Star of Bethlehem for shock; Walnut for change and upheaval as the plant adjusts to a new habitat or Honeysuckle if it seems to be missing its old home.
Pests, Fungus, Rot: Crab Apple to cleanse following infestation or Agrimony if the plant feels tortured.
Dehydration: Olive for energy where the plant is exhausted; Willow for self-pity or Mimulus for the fear of death.
Failure to Flower or Bear Fruit: Gentian to encourage the plant after setback; Impatiens for patience; Larch for confidence.
Click here for a chart giving guidance on the Remedies you can try for typical situations.
Recommended Dosage
In the case of Rescue Remedy (Crisis Formula), the dose is 4 drops for a single plant or 10 drops in a watering can and used as part of your watering routine. 4 drops may be added to a water sprayer and used to mist leaves / flowers / pricked out seedlings.
For single remedies, the dose is 2 drops for a single plant or 5 drops in a watering can. 2 drops may be added to a water sprayer and applied as before.
DO NOT over-water – if in doubt administer the drops daily in a dessert spoon of water – the plant will gain the benefit of regular remedies without becoming too wet.
“Green fingers are the extension of a verdant heart” Russell Page
