Indoor Gardening PDF

Ms. Khyati Trivedi  WHAT IS INDOOR GARDENING? Indoor gardening is the act of growing plants within an enclosed space, whether it be a house, an apartment, an office building, or a restaurant.  In Europe, particularly in Britain, during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, it was a common practi...

Ms. Khyati Trivedi  WHAT IS INDOOR GARDENING? Indoor gardening is the act of growing plants within an enclosed space, whether it be a house, an apartment, an office building, or a restaurant.  In Europe, particularly in Britain, during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, it was a common practice for the well to do people to grow exotic house plant for interior decoration.  The initial investment may be comparatively high, but it proves economical in the long run.  The pioneer among the house plant is Aspidistra which was popular in all walks of life. IMPORTANCE OF INDOOR GARDENING  It is never out of season.  It is richly rewarding and good pastime.  Add charm to the architectural beauty of house.  It helps to decorate the rooms and verandas.  It will help to remove mental fatigue and keep your mind fresh.  The plant also help to keep the inside air clean and fresh.  It gives a beautiful and lively touch to the inside atmosphere of the room.  Designing Indoor Gardening Choose the right and healthy houseplants Making Right Size Pot/Container Prepare the Soil and Plant Proper Water Supply Use Adequate Fertilizer Ensure Proper Lighting Humidity Pests Control Choose The Right And Healthy Houseplants The first step is to select healthy and right houseplants. In this case, you should think what plants grow well indoors. If you don’t have enough ideas about houseplants, you should ask a nursery professional. On the other hand, you should definitely choose healthy plants. That is why it is best to purchase the plants from a reputed garden center or nursery. But, be sure about the health status of the plants before buying. Making Right Size Pot/Container The second step is to have the right sized container or pot to plant in. Plastic or metallic, anything you can use. First of all, make sure one end of the container is opened and the opposite end is closed. If both ends are close, take off one side cover. And then, make some holes in the standing end of the container. The pot or container is ready to use. Prepare the Soil and Plant The plants will take nutrients and water from the soil and it will be growing day by day. The soil should contain animal or plant fertilizer. And you can also add some good dirt to make the soil fertile. After preparing the soil, you are ready to plant. Fill the container 1/3rd with gravel and rest of the space with the prepared soil. And finally, plant on it.  Proper Water Supply Water is one of the most effective elements to the growing plants. If the water supply is not adequate, you will see some damaging signs of the plants such as loss of flower and leaves, wilting, discoloration of leaves and so on. On the other hand blackened leaves, fungal diseases of roots are the result of over watering. Excess watering is not good for the plants as well as lack of water also. Watering also depends on what types of plants you are growing. So, you should check the water status of the soil whether it needs water or not.  Use Adequate Fertilizer Always remember, the plants take essential nutrients from the soil. Does the plant can take enough nutrients from the soil if the soil lack of nutrients. The answer should be definitely “NO”. That is why you should use good quality fertilizer. It ensures proper growth and sustainability of the plants. Never forget to use fertilizer when you are planting for the first time.  Ensure Proper Lighting Light is a very necessary element to the plants. All the plants use light to photosynthesize. They also need to photosynthesize to remain alive. Some plants use light for a long period of time in a day and some other useless light. But, all the plants need light more or less. If your plants cannot get enough sunlight during the day, you can use artificial light. In the hardware store or nursery, you find such kind of light which emphasize plants growth. You can buy them, for example, LED grow light bulbs, Fluorescent lights, High-density discharge bulbs, etc.  Humidity It is also an important factor. Some of the plants originate in tropical areas. They also grow well in the tropical climates. On the other hand, most of the houseplants grow well in the dry air. So, different houseplants need different humidity. That is why you should create proper humidity around the plants. To ensure adequate humidity you can spray water 2/3 times per day, create group plants, and make a saucer with marble, stones, and water.  Pests Control Your houseplants are not safe from the pests. You should check at least once a week. Check every plant whether they get affected or not? If the plants affected by the pests infestation you can see some signs such as sticky substances on leafage, holes in leaves, etc. After detecting the affected plants, isolate them immediately. And you should treat the plant keeping it outside from the fresh and healthy plants.  Selection of House Plants Foliage Plant  Look very attractive by virtue of the shape and colour of leaves.  Plant are usually shade loving and cannot tolerate scorching effect.  Plant remain fresh for long time inside the room. e.g. Dieffenbachia, alocasia, philodendron, monstera, aspidistra, asparagus, caladium, coleus etc.  Selection of House Plants Flowering Plant  This are spectacular in appearance by virtue of their colourful flowers.  Once the flowering is over, this plant have very little use inside the room.  Utility as house plant is only for limited period.  Grow and bloom well in the places having sufficient sun light. e.g. acalypha, azalea, begonia, euphorbia, impatiens, rose, poinsettia, tuberose, Easter lily etc.  Criteria for Selection of House Plants  Light availability  Evergreen, hardy, thorn less  Compactive growth habit  Attractive leaves  Plant should have highly prized ornamental foliage and beautiful flower  Plant have capacity to accommodate themselves in limited space and surrounding area  Plant have tolerance against the adverse atmospheric condition  Healthy and free from disease and pest  Grown and culture easily  Have no toxic effect on human health Gardening Under Light  Light req. in feet Plant candle Croton, coleus, rubber plant, 50-100 flowering plant Paperomia, scindapsus, 25-50 dracaena Aspidistra, aglaonema, 15-25 sanserieria, philodendron  Temperature Ideal temperature is 15-21ºC during day and night temperature not below 20 ºC. Plant Temp. req. Dracaena, philodendron, 21.1-26.7 ºC. cacti, ferns, scindapus Begonia, amaryllis, geranium, poinsettia and 15-21ºC. many bulbous plant  Plant Protection Symptoms Probable Cause Remedies Feed with liquid Stunted Inadequate feeding or excessive manure, stop watering growth watering. and reporting. Lack of moisture in compost, Regulate watering and over watering, rotting of roots, Wilting ensuring correct light shade loving plants kept in too exposure. sunny position. Dropping of Fluctuations in light in bud Provide proper light, flowers, buds formation, gas fumes and temperature and and leaves or drought. humidity. yellowing Conti… Rotting of roots due Plants replace to a Leaves dropping to excess watering, warm place and stop soil is too wet watering A variegated species Insufficient Give adequate becoming green illumination illumination Fungal disease, too Tips of foliage turning much fertilizers, Spray fungicide brown or brown spots scorching and drought  Classification of Indoor Plants Warm/Semi Warm/Light Warm/Shady Shady Croton Asparagus Dieffenbachia Coleus Dieffenbachia Aglaonema Dracaena Dracaena Euphorbia Euphorbia Monstera Sansevieria Hibiscus Philodendron Zebrina Sansevieria hibiscus 1.jpg  Classification of Indoor Plants Moderate/Semi Moderate/Light Moderate/Shady Shady Asparagus Begonia Araucaria Begonia Ficus Elastica Ferns Coleus Monstera Palms Dracaena Philodendron Pilea  Classification of Indoor Plants Cool/Semi Cool/Light Cool/Shady Shady Agave Araucaria Bulbous Plants Aloe Ferns Tradescantia Pilea Echinocactus  Places & Arrangement of House Plant Big Wall Small Room Predominate Group Of Bold Single Plant Horizontal Lines Leaved Large Small Caladium Plants Predominate White, Light Dark Background Vertical Lines Coloured Wall Variegated Or Tall Rubber Plant Caladium, Coleus, White Foliage Flowering Plants Potted Plants can be kept on the floor, window sill, window boxes, tables, book case, shelves, planters and plant stand.  Top 10 Low Maintenance Plants  Snake Plant Thrives in low light Also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue”, this ornamental plant also works as an excellent air purifier. An easy-to- maintain indoor plant that thrives in low light, it absorbs toxins and chemicals from the air and converts carbon dioxide into oxygen.  Money Plant Improves air quality This is one of the most popular Indian plants, which is easy to grow in both soil and water. The money plant improves air quality in the house and according to feng shui principles, creates a harmonious environment and brings in prosperity.  The Lucky Bamboo Plant Can be grown in water and soil This essential feng shui plant makes a regular appearance in Indian homes. Ideally placed by a window for indirect sunlight, the lucky bamboo can be grown in both clear water(which needs to be changed every 2 weeks) and in soil. With some efficient pruning, this plant can also be shaped in a variety of organic forms for decorative purposes.  Aloe Vera Needs sufficient sunlight Aloe vera is an easy to maintain succulent which caters to health, beauty and your home decor all at once. Known extensively for its various uses, the plant is also fondly called “the miracle plant”. This ornamental plant needs to be kept near a sunny window where it can get enough light.  Peace Lily Requires little to no sunlight Apart from being aesthetically appealing, peace lilies enhance indoor air quality. These plants require little to no sunlight and are easy to cultivate. Adapted to low levels of watering, the hooded flowers are quite striking and beautiful.  Song of India Plant a.k.a. Dracaena Reflexa Needs indirect sunlight Ideally placed on a side table or the mantel, this slow-growing houseplant brings a lively symphony of natural hues to your home with its brightly colored green, lime and yellow leaves. Also known as the “Song of India”, the Dracaena Reflexa plant needs indirect sunlight and regular misting to keep its leaves vibrant.  Ferns Need moist soil to grow well With their verdant green canopy of leaves, ferns are among the most commonly preferred plants in India. They need moderate levels of sunlight and moist soil to grow well. Daily watering and light spraying of the leaves will keep them healthy and green.  Grape Ivy Helps in purifying air A hanging vine like grape ivy can make an aesthetically pleasing addition to just about any room in the house. It is an easy-to-maintain indoor plant which will do just fine even with low light, dry air and minimal watering. Grape ivy helps in purifying the air indoors and also looks attractive as an ornamental plant.  Anthurium Needs moderate but regular watering. Anthurium is an exotic looking plant which flowers nearly year round and can easily become the focal point in your home décor. These come in a variety of colors and maintaining them indoors is easier than you might think. The plant needs indirect sunlight and moderate but regular watering.  Areca Palm Can grow upto seven feet in height With lush green, beautiful fronds, Areca Palms make a striking addition to home interiors. These plants need indirect sunlight, so you could ideally place them near a south or west facing window. With regular watering and re-potting whenever needed, areca palms can grow upto seven feet in height. Tips For Arranging Indoor Plants  Arrange Large Plants In Open Areas Large plants like Ficus lyrata and Philodendrons look good when placed in open living areas. When placed in small rooms, they take up too much space and attention of the onlookers. Use small potted plants in smaller spaces like bedrooms or study rooms.  Choose supplementing colours Arrange colourful plants wisely. Make sure that their colours supplement colour scheme of your interior design. Use contrasting colours when you want to make your home look bright and bold.  Create Groups Of Supplementing Plants Some indoor plants have nice foliage, some have attractive forms, some have variegating colours and some of them have interesting textures. Group them together to create a dramatic effect. Plants that look similar often lose their looks when placed in a group.  Create Depth With Indoor Plants Instead of lining indoor plants, arrange them in a close group with taller plants in the background and smaller ones in the front. Use tables, stands, windowsills or other furniture to create varying heights.  Use Accent Plants If you have one large plant, make it centre of attention. Large ficus, yucca, palm can be used as stand-alone accent plants. Provide them with a nice pot and place them in a prominent place.  Add Unusual Forms In Your Indoor Arrangements Many succulent and bonsai plants come in unusual shapes and forms. Get benefit of their eccentric and unusual formation and place them strategically in your indoor settings.