Luther Burbank and the spineless cactus story

Luther Burbank was a pioneer in developing new varieties of plants.He developed more than 800 new strains of plants including fruits,vegetables,grasses ,flowers and grains.

This is an extract from the book 'Autobiography of a Yogi' by Paramahamsa Yoganandaji.It is from the chapter - Luther Burbank, A Saint Amid the Roses.

"The secret of improved plant breeding, apart from scientific knowledge, is love." Luther Burbank uttered this wisdom as I (Yoganandaji) walked beside him in his garden in Santa Rosa, California. We halted near a bed of edible cactus.
" While I was conducting experiments to make 'spine-less' cactus," he continued,"I often talked to the plants to create a vibration of love. 'You have nothing to fear,' I would tell them. 'You don't need your defensive thorns.I will protect you.' Gradually the useful plant of the desert emerged in a thorn less variety."

image source-wiki.Picture in the public domain.

There is enough scientific data that plants respond to environmental stimuli but I think this delightful thorn less cactus story is substantial proof that plants also respond to thought waves.