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SCMP Reporter

Many garden plants can be grown in Hong Kong despite the hot, humid climate. The small living space is also no restriction because even kitchen shelves can house flowers and herbs.
Novice gardeners should, however, analyse their available space as this dictates what to plant. Their choice of plants depends on whether those plants, once started, will be living indoors or out. And finding plants that grow happily indoors can be through trial and error.
Jane Ram, chairperson of the Hong Kong Gardening Society,  said only some plants were suitable for indoors, especially as many Hong Kong flats had tinted windows.
'A sunny windowsill might seem ideal, but things can get badly burned if the glass acts as a greenhouse and gets too hot,' Ram said.
Indoor plants require fresh air and oxygen, so must be switched around. They can also be badly affected by the dehydrating effect of air-conditioning and dehumidifiers.
'Think of indoor plants as living longer than a bunch of flowers but not with a long life expectancy,' Ram said.
Likely survivors are aspidistras, begonias, marantas  and orchids. Streptocarpus  and African violets are particularly robust in the face of air conditioning.
The lack of outside space is not a deterrent for growing plants for food. 'You can grow sprouting seeds indoors,' Ram said. 
Red bean, soya bean, green bean, alfalfa, black bean, broccoli and mustard, among other sprouting seeds, grow in poor conditions, such as little sunlight and confined areas but need gentle temperature, regular rinsing (two to three times a day) and a relatively dark environment. 
A spokesman from Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden's Sustainable Living and Agriculture department said: 'These plants will provide you with a good mix and a continuous supply of fresh sprouting plants [such as alfalfa] for salads and sandwiches.'
Potential outdoor planting areas include a terrace, balcony or window box. Just what is planted depends on the direction the planting area faces, how it is affected by the wind and the availability of good drainage.
The Kadoorie Farm spokesman said: 'Exposure to sun and weather are limiting factors, so a planting plan should take account of these issues.' 
Some outdoor plants, such as hybrid roses, are susceptible to the local climate and diseases such as mildew and black spot.
 Ram said plants could also be attacked by pests, including African snails, caterpillars, bagworms and aphids, so pot planting was a good solution in a small space. This offered flexibility in how plants were set up and allowed planting to be modified from time to time. 
'Most herbs do well in pots at a typical high-rise apartment in Hong Kong because the plants are small and generally tolerate shade better than vegetables and fruits,' the Kadoorie Farm spokesman said.
Mint, lemon balm, basil, rosemary, lemongrass, rue, spring onion, chilli, ginger, coriander, thyme, parsley and dill are good bets. However, growers should provide appropriate care. 'Mint and lemon balm grow well in humid soil with full- or half-day sunlight, while rosemary likes full sunlight, dry weather and soil with good drainage,' the spokesman said.
Growing in pots also makes drainage  easier to control if there is heavy rain. Vegetables generally demand higher sun exposure than herbs.
While Hong Kong's wet, humid summers make year-round growing almost impossible, tomatoes grow as late as April or May in a small outside space. 
Vegetable success stories include lettuce, spinach, chives and carrots, all of which require small growing areas and can be harvested regularly in small quantities. 
'If you have a balcony that can accommodate eight-inch-diameter pots and which allows you to set up a small trellis, you will have wider choices,' the Kadoorie Farm spokesman said.
If so, tomatoes, peas, basella, beans and cucumbers are possibilities. If sunlight is limited, however, shade-tolerant lettuce is an option.
Fruit trees, such as fragrant tangerines, require more space and growers should consider the risks posed by their heavier loading on floors or balconies. 
Fledgling gardeners are advised to share tips with seasoned gardeners, such as those at the Hong Kong Gardening Society.
Alternately, Ram said, they could consult local gardening literature, such as Arthur van Langenberg's Urban Gardening in Hong Kong.  
Joining an organic gardening course could help beginners set up and learn basic skills. Steps ranged from using water butts brightened up with water lilies, to conserve water, to ordering organic seeds from overseas, Ram said.
Making organic compost from recycled kitchen waste is an easy step. Coffee grounds, tea bags, vegetable scraps, egg shells and fruit peel can all be composted.
Vermicomposting, which uses earthworms to speed up waste digestion, is another option. The Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden will launch a community programme to promote vermicomposting next month.



Think out of the box to make plants flourish