It's not. It's complete bullshit. Which is why it's not exactly hard to believe that kind of setup is possible.

[Is he ever going to watch his mouth around the childrens? No.]

But I really think the former is more likely. It just makes more sense. And it does make it more of a "game" [There's a certain amount of disdain evident in his voice when he says that. He clearly doesn't see this as a game at all.] if plants aren't involved.