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Green peace
No hot summer feels complete without the colour green. But this green doesn’t mean you need a large lawn. You can even have indoor green as part of your decor. Keeping plants inside is actually good for you because they improve the oxygen levels and make the place look fresh.
This is why many people in Karachi have invested in flowering pots and leafy plants. Even people in the smallest apartments use their balconies for space and hang pots from them. The most eye-catching ones are painted that bright fire-engine red.
Plants in small or even large houses keep us aware of life around us. Plants breathe, eat (fertilizers) and drink, almost like human beings. This is why people who suffer from depression are often told to brighten up their surroundings with greenery, which helps soothe and relax. It is even more helpful to tend to or care for plants on a regular basis. Gardening may seem complicated, but with a few guidelines from the local nursery-wallah, anyone can take out some time. It is a very relaxing hobby. You will even find some people who like talking to their plants because it is therapeutic. If you can’t trust people around you, try confiding in your plant. There is even a myth that plants respond well to caregivers who talk to them. Why don’t you try and find out for yourself if this is true?
And you don’t need to buy heavy potted plants. Light creeper plants can look splendid if hung in colourful bottles and woven baskets. They can even become a project if you decide to paint a glass bottle for your creeper. Creepers and money plants for example, are very popular in Pakistan because they need relatively little maintenance and flourish indoors. People even grow them in bathrooms.
Flowering plants may take more work to grow and cultivate but they are some of the most beautiful types of greenery you can invest in. Roses are all time favourites; their smell is captivating and they come in brilliant, romantic colours. But roses can be expensive to keep and need just the right weather. Ask your local nursery gardener if hibiscus, petunias, sunflowers, morning glory plants and asters are a better option.
Cactus plants may seem like an unusual option, what with their thorns, but they are surprisingly resilient for Pakistan’s climate. They need to be kept in a place where they can get direct sunlight and require very little water since they are desert plants. Some cactus plants can even bear flowers. The most common type is aloe, or aloevera which you will often find listed as a key ingredient in cosmetic creams and medicines.
If you are thinking of buying a plant remember to ask at the shop or nursery what is the best way to care for it. When and how often should you water it? When should you replace the soil and feed it fertilizer? And where should you place the plant, indoors or outside?
If you live in Karachi, which is essentially built on a desert, then perhaps you would like to consider coming up with your own plant project. You never know, you might have a very green thumb.
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