House plants gaining popularity in city, suburbs: Experts

People are becoming more and more conscious about preservation of flora and fauna in the city. Over the years, house plants have become quite popular in the city and suburbs, flower experts in the city feel.

They were taking part in a three day house plant show organised by Agri- Horticultural Society of India.

Sujit Chakraborty, chairman of the flower shows that take place in the 195-year-old-organisation, said that every year new participants join the show. “In every flat, you will find people growing some plant or orchid and the entire family is looking after the plant. This is good and awareness of people to save environment has gone up.”

He said many new plant growers had joined the three-day show and “this shows that interest in growing house plant is increasing in Kolkata and its adjoining areas. Many people grow different types of roses and other flowers on the roof and from amateur gardeners they have become experts over the years, a well-known flower culturist said.

Along with the show there are debates and seminars on subjects like ‘protection of wetland is only for conservation of nature’ and ‘importance of greenery in urban areas’, where school children and environment experts participated.

The best debater and the best grower of house plants will be given prizes.

It may be mentioned that the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) has encouraged people of New Town to grow plants and vegetables on rooftops. Soon, HIDCO will start selling organic vegetables.

The house plant show will help promote the growth and cultivation of foliage plants and create an awareness to grow these plants. AGHI offers short courses on a wide range of subjects like home gardening, roof gardening, herbal medicinal plants growing mushrooms and bonsai. 

It was founded in 1820 by William Carey with the objective to promote agriculture and horticulture in India. The first exhibition was held in 1828. In 1837, the first ever journal on agriculture was published from here. It stands on 22 acre of land in Alipore.