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Why does my plant from garden centre have a coir mat on top?

StorminStormin Posts: 51
in Problem solving
Hi bought a small salix in a pot today that has a 'coir mat' on top. Do I remove it before potting on - what is the benefit of it?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It keeps down weeds and helps with moisture retention.   Not much use in a bigger pot but a good thing in a small pot.  You could use a mulch of expanded clay pellets or grit or small pebbles to do the same job for you.   Salix do get thirsty, especially in pots.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    my guess is an attempt to hold moisture in peat free compost
    Devon.
  • StorminStormin Posts: 51
    Hi thanks Obelixx and Hostafan1. Have potted on for now into bit bigger pot as it's not going in garden for 2-3 weeks.  Left the mat on top for now. It is a salix flamingo but a Bush rather than a tree for front border. Really pretty. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Even in the ground you'll need to water it in dry spells as the foliage will suffer from dehydration very quickly.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • StorminStormin Posts: 51
    Thanks for all replies. Learn something new in gardening all the time 🙂.
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