Just as human growth and reproduction is hormone regulated, plant growth, flowering, fruiting, and leaving are hormone regulated. Also, as human hormones interact, so do plant hormones. As growers gain knowledge of plant hormone actions, they are able to regulate many plant processes to their own benefit. Fruit ripening may be retarded for shipment and accelerated for marketing. Fruit, flowers, and leaves may be held on the plant or dropped prematurely. As we learn more of the language of plant behavior, we become more able to direct it.