Hi all,

I recently came by an indoor Chinese pepper tree (pictured). It's got a mossy finish which I really like but when I water the tree, the water runs off the moss and out of the pot. I've also got no way of knowing whether or not the soil is dry enough to water as it is hidden by the moss. I am tempted to remove a patch but it would be a shame. Has anyone got any solutions?

Thanks.

Sounds as if it not draining, I think I would take all the moss off it is not helping.

The moss and soil are piled up higher than the edge of the pot in a mound, so water runs down hill until it pours over the edge. You can water very, very slowly so each drop soaks in or you can get rid of some of the moss so water can soak in. You might remove it around the trunk to form a bowl shape if the root shape works for that.
Somebody may say you can put it in a bowl or something and water from the bottom. Every single book and website on bonsai tells you to water from the top until water pours out of the holes in the bottom of the pot. There is a reason for that.

And, you should really place it outside. Temps now are high enough, trees need sunlight. Plus it makes watering much easier: just use a garden hose.

To water moss its better to use a water mister, the droplets of water gently land on the moss and it gets absorbed. cheers

Then what? The soil under will still be dry, no water with a can and rose and soak it until it runs through.