I TALK to some of my plants occasionally....especially if they're being especially good (like my 50 year old Christmas Cactus of my great grandmother's that is having "babies (flowers) right now....<:)
For years the scraggly Arbor Vitae beside my house has just goofed off and grown not a bit.
Last March, I said [to no one in particular though within earshot" of the shrub] "That's it. I'm calling Dad and telling him to pull this ratty thing out by the roots".
It grew a full foot this summer and has bushed out to glorious dimensions.
I don't know if "talking to them" does anything but threatening their lives apparently does...:)