Turning plants from passion to pay cheque

Abdul Aziz Majid sells moss used for decorating live plants in glass containers, which has become his source of income since retiring.

The 61-year-old wanders into fields and forests, sometimes travelling hundreds of kilometres, in search of moss.

The Octoblepharum is the hardiest of all species of moss and is often found in fields and forests.

He brings home several containers filled with moss from his search.

He selects and classifies his haul of moss.

He uses a brush to remove the soil stuck to its surface and puts it into containers.

He mists the moss to maintain proper moisture and keep it healthy.

He takes photos of the moss, which has been neatly assembled in containers, using a mobile phone.

He advertises the photos on his social media platforms. The large stock of moss he acquires typically sells out within a week.

A loyal customer visits Aziz at his home in Balakong to purchase moss. Each container is sold at RM20, which is significantly lower than the market price of RM40 to RM55 per container.

Apart from selling moss, Aziz also makes indoor gardens in sealed containers called terrariums. Here, Aziz is seen selecting ornamental plants at a nursery, which are chosen based on the size of the glass containers he intends to use for his terrariums.

He also cultivates his own plants for decorative purposes at home.

He uses the asparagus plant as decoration inside the glass containers. After filling the containers with black soil, he adds the main plants to the containers.

A layer of pebbles or gravel is placed at the base of the glass containers. The small pebbles serve as water drainage for the plants' roots.

He adds the Octoblepharum moss and decorates it on top of the layer of pebbles and flattened soil.

He also includes other parasitic plants, most of which are usually overlooked when it comes to decoration, giving them a new lease of life.

Vibrant terrariums of varying sizes carefully curated by Aziz for an exhibition are displayed on a table, looking like enclosed miniature gardens.

Visitors walk around the KL Park Festival, which showcases various species of flowers and plants, including Aziz's garden-in-jars.

Aziz mans his expo booth selling terrariums at the festival as a customer examines the many items on display.

Two customers examine the moss being sold in containers as Aziz provides tips on how to care for the Octoblepharum moss.

The terrariums, which make for beautiful gifts and home decorations, are arranged on a table at the exhibition, complete with table lamps illuminating them to allow visitors to admire their intricate beauty from all angles.

A customer listens to Aziz as he talks about the selection of terrariums on display at the exhibition.