I know of that research. Wasn't connected with Dr Emoto's work. I've come across it a few times. Main source Secret Life of Plants.
The experiment was testing the persons emotions and the reaction to the thoughts. Backster attached a lie detector to plants and then thought of burning a leaf (long story short) The plant reacted causing a spike in the machine before Backster could even find a match or lighter. They basically attached a lie detector to cells extracted from a person's mouth, The cells reacted the same as the cells still in the person when triggered even when there was a distance between them.
So off on a search I go. I think this article summaries what you are looking for.
http://thesunmagazine.org/archives/1882I believe that's what you're wanting to know about. That the experiment was done.
Yes if our thoughts can make water look ugly and our cells can be taken out of our body... What are we doing to ourselves with our thinking?
You'll find Dean Radin has written similar about the collective mind, that we tune in to disasters and react before we know of the disasters at a non-conscious level. Much more details. Not sure if he features in What the Bleep.
Alex