Sunil Shetty shares a few gardening tips with us. We listen in and take notes

Sunil Shetty's wife calls him a maali (gardener). The actor has a sprawling house in Khandala, but he is never found indoors. He spends most of his time tending and fawning over his plants. He gives us a few pointers on getting dirt under our fingernails.

"It depends on what we are talking about: indoor or outdoor flowering plants. If it's indoor plants choosing the correct indoor plants is very important, " he says, adding...

Indoor plants shouldn't be given too much sunlight. You can't keep them too long in sun as the leaves wilt and edges burn. Give your plants sunlight for half an hour every three days.

Plants should be potted in loose soil. When you realise that the soil is getting tight because of the water you have to loosen it without damaging the roots as then the plant can breathe and grow well.

A very good alternative is the shell of coconut that is used for fertilizer. Instead of mud, the shell is crushed and made into very good indoor soil. It holds the moisture for a long time and because it's loose, the soil and the plant roots get lot of airing. You get shell soil at any gardening place.

Choosing your indoor plants is very important. Plants belonging to the ficus group survive beautifully at home as do all kinds of palms and green and lush varieties.

For indoor plants to survive the choice of plants is very important which includes choosing the right colour of leaves. Certain indoor plants with differently coloured leaves flower well. Plants used in the right areas and right corners bring life to the home.

Water your plants regularly but not too much as the soil should be wet but not overflow into the pot. The minute you see excessive water open it out or the roots will rot away and fungus or white residue will form.

If you see fungus or white spots on leaves make sure you get organic pesticides to spray on your plants and not chemicals or any artificial stuff. There are lots of organic stuff available in gardening stores. My farm in Khandala uses only organic manure and fertilizer sprays.

Spray once in every 15-20 days. To keep healthy leaves from rotting clip near the branch without damaging the branch so that the old leaves are replaced by the new. Plants will grow lush and full if you prune the leaves and branches from below.

Spend time with your plants even if it's for five minutes in a day. Take cottonbuds and clean the leaves with love and care like you would your pet. I recently visited this guy with vineyards who has waterproof speakers all over his farm that play music to his plants.