Though the popularity of landscaping is increasing and the passion for gardening is also on the rise there is a lack of trained professionals in the field.Indulging your ‘green passions’ in the concrete jungle of urban Chennai is certainly a challenging task but not one that is impossible. With a little planning and creativity you can create your own private garden.

According to Mrs. Suryanarmada a horticulturist of repute ‘I can even create a lawn in 100 square feet of land.’ An opinion seconded by Dr. Subesh Ranjith Kumar of the Urban Horticulture Development Centre of Chennai. He goes on to say that one can make a lawn in a space, which is even smaller. But, it is advisable not to go in for such type of gardening in individual flats as even if you use lightweight soil it will add undue pressure on the infrastructure of the building. It is better to go in for table top gardens or terrariums. Hanging garden in the balcony are also a good idea. They work well in most cases where there is enough sunlight.

Mrs. Usha Kumar, proprietor of Veena’s Nursery, Kancheepuram, who also have an outlet in Annanagar, says that besides doing landscaping projects for large apartment complexes, they also get a lot of enquiries from individual house owners for both setting up a garden as well as garden maintenance. She says it is surprising that people who live in apartments are also keen to have some sort of a ‘garden’. According to her, ‘though it is difficult to set up gardens in a flat it is not impossible. So, we do not dishearten any customer. She says people’s interest in vasthu and Feng Shui is largely responsible for the development of genuine interest in plants. Besides, having greenery around the house helps to create a positive atmosphere. Mrs. Kumar says,’ I generally recommend keeping plants like money plants in the bathroom and kitchen windows. If the flat has absolutely no room for plants then we recommend window boxes and placing of creepers on the parapet.’ We also recommend the placing of plants in corners. Depending on the sunlight that the particular corner gets we decide on the plant.’ According to Mrs. Kumar it is also possible to have water plants indoors. However, she says that the golden rule to be followed is that all indoor plants need to be put out in the sun at least once in seven days.

Mrs. Kumar’s tips on how to create your own indoor water garden: What you need is a fairly large earthen pot or a glass aquarium. Fill it up with water put in a few fish. Some pebbles and rocks(in the case of a glass aquarium ) add in some pond slush and just put in your water plants. Ideally keep it in a corner that receives adequate sunlight. Plants like water hyacinths do well indoors. Keep outside in the Sun once a week.

Mrs. Suryanarmada, who is a trained horticulturist and a consultant with several nurseries in the city, says that though the popularity of landscaping is increasing and the passion for gardening is also on the rise there is a lack of trained professionals in the field. Therefore, the result that we see is not as good as it could have been. She seconds Mrs. Kumar’s opinion that independent house owners and also people who have a passion for gardening but are constrained due to lack of space form the bulk of her clientele. She says that ‘potted plant gardening’ and ‘vertical gardening’. Other options she says are window box gardening, planter box gardening (these are boxes place don the parapet walls). She says though most people would like to have some sort of a flowering plant indoors, this is not a good idea. As most of the times they do not thrive. However, foliages do very well as indoor plants. Plants placed in east facing rooms tend to do better than other plants. Therefore, it will not be an exaggeration to say that these rooms are best suited for indoor plants.

Suryanarmada has also shared some useful tips for the maintenance of indoor plants:

1. Ideally one should have two sets of plants. While one set is out in the sun the other set can be indoors. This will ensure that the plants you keep indoors look fresh and vibrant. The plants can be cycled once a week.

2. If it is not possible to have two sets then it is a good idea to keep the plants in the sun for at least two hours once in two or three days.

3. When manuring your indoor plants, use liquid manure. That is dilute the manure you are using with some water before use. Manure the plants once in 15 days.

4. The most common problem one faces with the indoor plants is that very often it gets infected with the mealy bug. This problem is cause due to the presence of ants. So first get rid of the ants. The trim of the infected parts and singe lightly.

5. Precaution is always better than cure. So spray a mild, neem based insecticide once in 15 days.

6. If the leaves of your indoor plant are turning yellow then reason could either be more water or less light.

7. Do not place the indoor plant near the air conditioner

Here is a recipe for a natural insecticide. Make a paste of equal amounts of garlic, ginger, green chilly and onion. Mix a pinch of turmeric powder in it. Then make a solution using hamam or khadi soap. Mix the masala paste with this. Strain and use a spray.

Plants that do well indoors:

Suggested plants for parapet boxes: creeper roses, bluebells, jasmine. Actually these plants serve a dual purpose. They make the house look beautiful and they also help to keep the sun out.

Plants that do well in the corner:

Palms, dieffenbachia, Dracaena Plants that do well indoors if placed in a place where there is adequate light: Coleus, fern, geranium, jade plant So, all you greenies can head straight for the nurseries. Make a home that is green and creates an atmosphere of peace, quiet and well being.