Energy Improves Productivity, Efficiency
In his spare time, Nikolas Tesla dreamed about using atmospheric electricity and electromagnetic fields to boost plant growth. His concept sparked new research to optimize agriculture and farming in the early 1900s, but the introduction of chemical fertilizers overshadowed the power of electroculture
As Tesla suggested, electroculture harnesses the power of atmospheric electricity to boost plant growth. Thanks to Tesla, the simple concept has made many gardeners believers.
What Is Electroculture
Electroculture is a “method of applying atmospheric electricity to the fertilization of plant life,” according to the book “Electroculture,” by Justin Christofleau. A well-known French scientist and inventor in the early 1900’s, Christofleau was a member of the Society of Scientists and Inventors, Knight of Merit of Agriculture, and had many other titles. He devoted years of research to electroculture and patented nearly 40 of his numerous inventions including a “Moto-solar thermo-magnetic network,” and a “Bio-electro-magnetic focus,” electroculture device, which was aimed at capturing telluric currents and electromagnetic waves for use on plants. His book has several photos of crops which were grown using his apparatus compared to crops grown without.
Electroculture involves placing conductive materials, such as metal rods or wires, into the soil around plants, with the belief that they act as antennas to capture “free” energy and direct it toward the plants. The theory behind electroculture suggests that these elements can modulate subtle energy fields, influencing positive plant development. While the science has been around for a long time, it is still evolving. The concept is rooted in the understanding that plants are naturally responsive to subtle electrical signals within their environment.
History of Electroculture
Inventors and scientists have researched this field, dating as far back as 1749, when Abbe Nollett was one of the first scientists to note the effects of electricity on plant life.
In 1783 Abbe Bertholon made known his work in the field and invented an “electro-vegetometre.” A Russian scientist, M. Spechnoff, later perfected the invention, finding that the composition of the soil is “modified by the action of the currents.” He recorded “an overproduction of 62% for oats, 56% for wheat and 34% for linseed. Brother Paulin, the Director of the Agricultural Institute of Beauvai, invented the “Geomagnetifere,” which he reported “gave wonderful results, especially with grapes, which were richer in sugar and alcohol, matured sooner and more regularly.
An electroculture antenna is a simple device, usually made from copper wire wrapped around a non-conductive rod (like wood), designed to capture atmospheric energy and channel it into the soil to boost plant growth, nutrient absorption, and soil health, with popular designs involving clockwise spirals for the Northern Hemisphere, aiming to revitalize depleted electromagnetism for natural, chemical-free gardening.
The concept of using electricity to influence plant growth dates back centuries. In the 1700s, researchers began exploring the effects of electricity on plants. In the 18th century, it was noted that trees grew faster beneath the aurora borealis because of its electrical field. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, scientists and farmers continued exploring different electroculture techniques.
Nikola Tesla significantly influenced the concept of electroculture, a practice using atmospheric electricity and electromagnetic fields to boost plant growth, with patents for devices to capture telluric currents for agriculture and research suggesting he used electric stimulation to improve crop yields, though modern interpretations vary on the effectiveness of simple copper antennas versus complex scientific applications of his principles. While electroculture dates earlier (18th century), Tesla’s work on wireless power and electromagnetic fields connected it to modern science, inspiring both DIY gardening methods (copper antennas) and advanced agricultural research.
Tesla provided a scientific framework and advanced concepts for using electricity in agriculture, inspiring both practical gardening trends and advanced scientific studies in the field. Tesla’s ideas have spurred ongoing research in precision agriculture, blending ancient concepts with modern technology to optimize farming.
World War II and the introduction of chemical fertilizers halted most of the electroculture research. Today, popular interest in natural gardening has prompted renewed interest and studies.
Tesla’s Connection to Electroculture
- Patents: He developed and patented devices like the “Bio-electro-magnetic focus,” designed to use natural energy for plants, and a “Moto-solar thermo-magnetic network”.
- Research: Tesla experimented with using electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and air ionization to promote plant growth, showing increased yields and improved plant health in some studies.
- Goal: His vision was to harness natural energy for agriculture, aiming for better yields and enhanced plant vitality, much like his broader work on wireless energy transmission.
How Does Electroculture Work
The basic premise is that the cell membranes of plants can respond to and benefit from exposure to electrical currents or heightened electromagnetic fields. Common electroculture techniques include antennas, ground rods and magnetic coils. The antennas are metal wires or rods that capture energy from the atmosphere (rain, wind, temperature changes) and channel it into the soil. Ground rods are driven into the soil beside the plant to facilitate the flow of electricity. Magnetic coils are copper wire wrapped around plant stems or bases to create a concentrated electromagnetic field.
Advocates of electroculture gardening claim that when an electrical current applies to a plant, it stimulates the production of plant hormones responsible for cell elongation and growth. Plants exhibit faster growth, larger yields and more abundant blooms. Additionally, electricity enhances the movement of nutrients and water within the plant, improving overall plant health.
Proponents suggest that the electrical fields may:
- Stimulate the production of plant hormones responsible for cell elongation and growth.
- Increase nutrient and water movement and uptake within the plant and soil.
- Promote beneficial microbial activity in the soil.
- Improve overall plant health, potentially making them more resistant to pests and diseases.
While more research is needed, gardeners report success using electroculture techniques with fruit-bearing plants like tomatoes, peppers and berries. Leafy greens and root vegetables have also shown promise. Flowers that attract pollinators also fare especially well.
Common Techniques for Trees
The primary method involves placing conductive systems into the ground near the tree.
- Antennas/Ground Rods: Metal rods or wires (often copper) are driven into the soil next to the tree to capture atmospheric energy and direct it into the root zone.
- Coils: Copper wire is coiled into specific geometric shapes (like a spiral or an open-ended loop) and placed in the soil or attached to a nearby wooden stake to encircle the plant.
- Branch Wrapping: Copper wire can be wrapped in a loose spiral pattern around specific healthy, actively growing branches, ensuring good contact without constricting growth.
Research
Several centuries of research have demonstrated that crop growth and yield are improved by electrical stimulation. Exploratory investigation of the impacts of power on plant development started in 1746, when Dr. Maimbray of Edinburg treated myrtle plants with the yield of an electrostatic generator, consequently upgrading their development and blooming. The yield of raspberries was expanded by 95%, what’s more, the yield of carrots was expanded by 125%. Yields of cabbage, turnips, and flax, be that as it may, became preferred without jolt over with it.
In the late 19 th century, Selim Lemström reported that electrical stimulus improved the growth of potatoes, celery, and carrots by 40-70% over a two month period.
In 1909, the Swiss minister J.J. Gasner acquired comparable outcomes with his replication of Laemstrom’s work. Likewise that year, Prof. G. Stone showed that a couple of sparks of friction based electricity released into the dirt every day expanded soil microbes up to 600%.
During the 1920s, V.H. Blackman revealed his examinations with an aeronautical framework like that of Laemstrom. He applied 60 volts DC/1 milliamp through 3 steel wires each 32 ft long and suspended 6 ft separated and 7 ft high on posts. The application expanded yields about half for a few plant types (Nelson 1982)
The French rancher/author Justin Christofloreau stood out in 1925 with his contraption to gather barometrical energy for his yields. Clover treated by his strategy grew 7 feet high. Christofloreau claimed that the amassed power obliterated parasites (Barinov, 2012).
Abbot Jean Nolet discovered that seeds germinate faster and the plants grow faster when developed under charged terminals. Harvest yields and quality are improved similarly. The energies are applied to the seeds, plants, soil or the water and supplements. With this method, huge loads of food can be developed in a quarter section of land or less, in gardens, on galleries, housetops, in window boxes or aqua-farming or permaculture. That converts into immeasurably expanded benefits for cannabis cultivators. Aqua-farming also is appropriate for electroculture (Nelson, 1982).
Electroculture can shield plants from infections and creepy crawly and moreover diminish the prerequisites for manure or pesticides. Farmers can develop greater and better harvests in less time, with less exertion (Barinov, 2012).
More robust research is needed to fully validate the claims. But trying electroculture costs little money and the coils make for some pretty garden art. The next question is whether the technology can be applied on a commercial scale and can it impact the health of trees.
Sacred Seedlings is a global initiative to support forest conservation, reforestation, urban forestry, carbon capture, sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation. Sustainable land management is critical to the survival of entire ecosystems. Sacred Seedlings is a charitable division of Crossbow Communications. We seek sponsors, donors and volunteers.
