Visit Hyderabad's Grand Nursery Mela for witnessing outdoor, exotic plants across India

Hyderabad: Gardening enthusiasts are flocking to People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, to explore thousands of plant varieties on display at the 17th Grand Nursery Mela, a horticulture exhibition. The event, which began on January 30, will conclude on Monday, February 3. The entry fee is ₹40, and the timings are from 9 AM to 9 PM.

The mela was inaugurated on January 30 by Minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao, along with Horticulture Director Sheikh Yasmin Basha.

Main Attractions

The mela showcases exotic plants, garden accessories, innovative gardening techniques, handmade and designer pots, as well as vertical, rooftop, kitchen, and home garden plants.

Hydroponic Plants: A Major Crowd-Puller

Hydroponics, a method of growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution, is gaining popularity. These plants do not require soil; instead, their root systems are supported by inert mediums such as perlite, rockwool, clay pellets, peat moss, or vermiculite. Certain plants thrive in hydroponic systems, including greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale, as well as herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, and cilantro. Tomatoes also grow well using this technique. Hydroponic plants are organic, fast-growing, disease-resistant, affordable, and high-yielding.

Nurseries from Across India

The mela features stalls with nurseries from Mumbai, Pune, Shirdi, Kadiyam, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Kalimpong, Hyderabad, Kakinada, and Faridabad. Mela in-charge Khalid Ahmed stated that this year, 150 stalls have been set up, attracting plant enthusiasts from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and many other states.

Chrysanthemum Garden: A Visual Delight

A colorful Chrysanthemum Garden near the entrance has been a major attraction, showcasing a variety of multi-colored flowers available for purchase.

Types of Nursery Plants on Sale

A vast array of plants is available, including bulbs, lilies, fruit plants, cacti, succulents, adeniums, anthuriums, ferns, orchids, petunias, roses, hibiscus, chrysanthemums, caladiums, creepers, saplings, and seedlings. The sheer variety is overwhelming.

Exotic and Outdoor Plants

Bonsais, air plants, oxygen plants, medicinal plants, and anti-mosquito plants like lemongrass and tulsi are available. Additionally, visitors can find spice plants, apple saplings, dragon fruit plants, water lilies, and plants for kitchen gardens.

Indoor Plants in Refurbished Bottles

"Plant Darbar," a stall featuring oxygen-rich indoor plants creatively displayed in painted bottles, has been a big attraction.

Garden Materials

Visitors can purchase terrace and outdoor garden materials, moss sticks, organic and non-organic fertilizers, neem oil, and vermicompost. A variety of gardening tools such as spades and secateurs, as well as stands, pots, and planters, are also available.

Varieties of Natural Honey

Honey comes in various types, as bees collect nectar from different flowers in different seasons. Varieties such as Jamun, Multiflora, and Eucalyptus honey are available for sale.

Food Stalls

A range of snack, juice, and food stalls with comfortable seating ensures a pleasant experience for visitors.

This year’s Grand Nursery Mela is a celebration of plant diversity and innovative gardening techniques. The event not only educates people on sustainable gardening but also fosters a deeper connection with nature and organic food.