Question

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Followup To

Question -
Hi Will,

Does moss dressed soil retain moisture significantly longer than naked soil? I notice since recently dressing the soil of a China Doll the soil remains damp longer, however, as the pot-scaping also coincides with a move to a home with lower light levels than the plant is accustomed to, I'm not sure if the cause is the moss or the light.  Maybe both?  Before removing my efforts, I thought to consult an expert!

Regards,
Zebra


Answer -
Hi Zebra,

Both top dressing, especially dense green moss as opposed to lighter Spanish moss, and reduced light will contribute to longer intervals between soil drying. It is impossible to say which is the greater contributor in any particular situation.

I am not sure why you are considering removing the moss. Are you concerned that the soil is staying moist for too long? If so, how long is that? It may not be necessary to remove the moss, if you like the way that it looks.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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_____________________________________


Will,

Thanks for the prompt response.  I didn't frame the concern clearly in my original question. Yes, I am concerned that the soil is remaining moist too long; it has been over two weeks since the last watering and the soil is still damp.  Before the move and before the top dressing - dense green moss - the China Doll required watering about every 12-15 days.

The plant is overpotted to begin with (yikes!). I'm trying to water judiciously so as to prevent root rot, however, I haven't been in my present location long enough to know how significantly decreased light levels will affect the plants. (Previously, the China Doll resided outdoors on a shaded patio in summer and in direct sun in winter; now it receives filtered western exposure light.)

Long answer to your question about why I consider removing the moss but, yes, I am concerned that the soil is staying moist too long.  However, I like the appearance of the moss (a touch of the woods indoors) so don't want to remove it if uneccessary.

Here's an idea - maybe I should just down-pot the plant!

Again, thank you for your help.

Zebra


Answer
Hi Zebra,

You seem to be better at answering your questions than posing them. Perhaps you should become an expert and then you won't have to worry about asking questions clearly!

Most any non-succulent plant that is going beyond two weeks without drying sufficiently to need water is in danger of developing root rot. Whether it is the moss or the low light or the large pot doesn't matter to the roots.

It is always preferable to optimize light whenever possible. Apparently that is not the case for your China doll. Try removing the moss and see if that helps let the soil dry out within a couple of weeks. If it doesn't, then downsizing the pot is the only recourse.

Will