JELI, July 31 (Bernama) -- What began as a hobby of creating terrariums using recycled glass containers and second-hand items has grown into a creative passion for Muhammad Syukur Abdullah, 21, who now produces intricate miniature garden designs.
The second-semester Aquaculture Technology Diploma student at Jeli Polytechnic said his fascination with terrariums started during his high school years after watching a video on YouTube that inspired him to try creating one himself.
“After trying several times with the help of YouTube videos, I was finally able to create my own terrarium. From there, my interest grew and I decided to pursue the Aquaculture Technology Certificate at Jerantut Community College, Pahang, in 2022.
“During my two years at the community college, I gained valuable knowledge about plant basics and proper care methods, which helped me better understand how to ensure they survive longer,” he said when met by Bernama at Jeli Polytechnic yesterday.
The native of Bukit Mertajam, Penang, said his five-month industrial training experience at Gardenroad Aquatic in Shah Alam, Selangor, gave him further exposure to professional terrarium-making techniques.
Muhammad Syukur said the experience gave him greater confidence in his terrarium-making skills, leading him to begin selling his creations on a small scale in 2022 via Facebook and Marketplace platforms.
“My interest in terrariums continued to grow after I started my studies at Jeli Polytechnic earlier this year. I also initiated the establishment of the Green Vista Club, which is guided by Aquaculture Technology lecturer Zalina Che Manan, to encourage students to share their passion and knowledge in this field.
“We not only make terrariums but also share our knowledge on creating and caring for plants in glass containers, including with kindergarten teachers,” he said, adding that the terrariums are sold from RM10 to RM570 each.
Muhammad Syukur said he has now mastered three types of terrarium designs, comprising waterless landscapes, aquascapes featuring underwater environments and paludariums that incorporate both terrestrial and aquatic elements, such as waterfall designs.
He said the terrarium-making process begins with preparing several layers, including clay balls and black soil mixed with dry moss to help maintain humidity levels.
“This layer is important to store water and ensure the plants can grow well. Once the basic layer is completed, I begin designing the terrarium using materials such as wood, stones and moss,” he said, adding that spiderwood is one of his preferred materials due to its durability and resistance to mould.
He said the most challenging aspect of creating a terrarium is arranging the finer details, as each element must be placed with precision because even a small mistake can affect the overall appearance and reduce its natural appeal.
“I usually use plants such as fittonia, ferns and bonsai. The concept depends on the customer’s request, including forest-style, diorama, Japanese or Iwagumi designs. So far, many prefer the diorama style because it resembles a fantasy world.
“Every terrarium I produce is monitored for one to two weeks to ensure the plants adapt well before it is delivered to the customer,” said the owner of the TikTok account syukx._.
Muhammad Syukur said he produces between five and 10 terrariums a month in different sizes, ranging from mini and standard to premium, with the production time taking between an hour and a day depending on the complexity of the design.
“The terrarium needs to be maintained by monitoring its humidity and lighting conditions. Watering is usually done once or twice a week, depending on the condition,” he said.
Asked about the difficulties he faced as a terrarium maker, Muhammad Syukur said balancing his studies with fulfilling customer orders was the biggest challenge.
“I need to plan my time well so that my studies remain on track while ensuring customers receive their orders on time,” he said, adding that he has yet to offer deliveries to other states as he is worried the terrariums could be damaged during transit.
-- BERNAMA