CN111867365A

CN111867365A - Pre-planted vegetation mat

Info

Publication number: CN111867365A
Application number: CN201880084934.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卓福良; 卓鸿耀
Original assignee: Zhenxing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhenxing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-31
Filing date: 2018-10-30
Publication date: 2020-10-30
Also published as: SG10201708939TA; SG11202002736RA; WO2019088923A1; MY196838A

Abstract

The invention relates to a pre-planted vegetation mat. The pre-planted vegetation mat comprises a base layer made of an impermeable material, a scrim layer extending over the base layer, a layer of plant cuttings and/or plants dispersed on the scrim layer, and a top cover comprising one or more substances selected from the group consisting of sphagnum moss, cocoa peat, black loose soil, and combinations thereof; and wherein the scrim layer has a porous surface configured to receive a plant cutting. The invention also relates to a method of producing the pre-planted vegetation mat of the invention.

Description

Pre-planted vegetation mat

Technical Field

The present invention relates to pre-planted vegetation mats and methods of producing such pre-planted vegetation mats. More particularly, the present invention relates to pre-planted vegetation mats and methods of producing such pre-planted vegetation mats as follows: the pre-planted vegetation mat includes a base layer made of an impermeable material, a scrim layer, a layer of plant cuttings and/or plants, and a top cover material dispersed over the scrim layer.

Background

Pre-vegetated mats with plant cuttings are typically planted off-site at a production facility prior to shipping the mat and plants to the site where they are to be installed. Many pre-planted vegetation mats are made of non-degradable materials, such as interwoven nylon or polymer meshes. Such pads may present health and environmental concerns.

Some pre-planting processes known in the art are pre-planting plants using coconut palm (cocoir)/oil palm fibre mats or non-degradable polymer nets before placing the mats and plants on site. The non-degradable polymeric web is thermally welded to the two-dimensional nonwoven polymeric surface. These methods of pre-planting plants are relatively slow because the mat does not contain substantially much water within its fiber or polymer material. In order to maintain enough water in the mat for the plants to grow properly, the plants need to be watered periodically throughout the day. Such a process is laborious and involves relatively high production costs. The use of polymeric meshes in mats also results in relatively higher production costs compared to mats made from non-synthetic fibers.

Some methods known in the art use soil to support the growth of plants on the mat. Pre-planted vegetation mats with cuttings of plants grown in soil have a number of limitations and disadvantages. These limitations and disadvantages include restrictions on export of pre-planted vegetation mats with plant cuttings to other countries, as many countries are forcing restrictions on soil import into that country. Soils containing contaminants may be classified as hazardous waste and are therefore often subject to transportation restrictions. Pre-planted vegetation mats with cuttings of plants growing in the soil are also very heavy and therefore difficult to transport, handle and apply.

It is therefore desirable to provide a pre-planted vegetation mat and a method of producing such a pre-planted vegetation mat that seek to address at least one of the above problems or at least provide an alternative.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a pre-planted vegetation mat. The pre-planted vegetation mat comprises: a base layer made of an impermeable material; a scrim layer extending over the base layer; and a top cover material dispersed on the plant cutting layer or on the coarse scrim layer as a part of the plant cutting, the top cover material comprising one or more substances selected from the group consisting of sphagnum moss, cocoa peat, black loose soil, and combinations thereof; and wherein the scrim layer has a porous surface for receiving plant cuttings.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pre-planted vegetation mat further comprises a top layer of scrim material overlying the top cover and/or the plant cuttings layer.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a pre-planted vegetation mat having a plant cutting. The method comprises the following steps: providing a base layer made of an impermeable material; laying a scrim layer on the base layer, wherein the scrim layer has a porous surface configured to receive plant cuttings; spreading species of plant cuttings on the coarse linen layer; optionally, adding compost and/or fertilizer to the scrim layer; spreading the top cover material on the plant cuttings or on the coarse scrim layer as a part of the plant cuttings; and allowing the species of the plant cuttings to grow into plants on the porous surface of the scrim layer such that roots of the plant cuttings extend through the porous surface of the scrim layer and are entangled together around the pores of the scrim layer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises: a top layer made of burlap material is laid over the top cover stock and/or the plant cuttings.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the impermeable material is a polymeric plastic material.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the scrim layer is provided in the form of a tape. According to another embodiment of the invention, the top layer made of scrim material is provided in the form of a strip. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the pre-planted vegetation mat is provided in the form of a strip.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plant cuttings grow into plants on the scrim layer, and roots of the plant cuttings extend through the porous surface of the scrim layer and are entangled together around the pores of the porous surface of the scrim layer.

Drawings

The above advantages and features of the method and apparatus according to the present invention are illustrated in the following detailed description and in the drawings:

figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pre-planted vegetation mat according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a pre-planted vegetation mat according to the configuration shown in fig. 1, wherein the top cover forms a portion of a plant cutting.

Fig. 3 is an image showing a scrim layer laid on a base layer made of an impermeable material according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an image showing an example of the pre-growth mat according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 in which plants have completely grown.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pre-planted vegetation mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a pre-planted vegetation mat according to the configuration shown in fig. 5, wherein the top cover forms a portion of a plant cutting.

Fig. 7 is an image showing a top layer of burlap material laid over the top cover stock and plant cuttings according to the embodiment shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an image showing plant cuttings healthily growing out of the holes of the top layer made of burlap material according to the embodiment shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is an image showing an example of a pre-planted mat in which plants have completely grown according to the embodiment shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a pre-planted mat according to the embodiment shown in fig. 5, in which the plant has fully grown.

Fig. 11 is an image showing an example of several pre-planted mats in which plants laid adjacent to each other have fully grown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is an image showing that plant cuttings grown on coconut fiber mats tend to dry relatively quickly.

Fig. 13 and 14 are images showing the slow establishment of plant cuttings on coconut fibre mats.

FIG. 15 is an image showing the onset of decay after several days of plant cuttings grown on coconut fiber mats.

Fig. 16 is an image showing less than 100% coverage of plants grown on a coconut fiber mat.

Fig. 17 is an image showing approximately 100% coverage of plants grown on pre-planted vegetation mats of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is an image showing another example of plant cuttings pre-planted on a mat including oil palm fibers.

Fig. 19 and 20 are images showing another example of plant cuttings growing on a mat including a polymer netting, the images showing that plant cuttings growing on the polymer netting tend to overgrow weeds on the mat.

Detailed Description

The invention relates to a pre-planted vegetation mat.

Referring to fig. 1, a pre-planted vegetation mat 10 comprises: a base layer 12 made of an impermeable material; a scrim layer 14 extending over the base layer 12; a plant cutting layer 15 covering the burlap layer; and a top cover 16 dispersed on or as part of the plant cuttings on the scrim layer (fig. 2), the top cover 16 comprising one or more substances selected from the group consisting of sphagnum moss, cocoa peat, black loose soil, and combinations thereof, and the scrim layer having a porous surface configured to receive the plant cuttings.

Any suitable impermeable material may be used as the base layer, provided that the impermeable material does not allow water to be pumped through the material. The material should also not allow the roots of the plant cuttings to penetrate therethrough. This is to promote the growth of the roots around the pores of the porous surface of the scrim layer so that the roots will grow and entangle with each other and/or around the pores. This helps to secure the plant cuttings in place and to the mat. In one embodiment, the impermeable material is a polymeric plastic material.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a scrim layer 14 is laid on the base layer 12. The scrim layer is formed of jute, hemp, or other natural fibers. Jute is a long, soft and lustrous plant fiber that can be spun into a rough and strong thread. Jute is produced mainly from plants of the genus jute. The fibers of the jute were used to weave the material forming the scrim layer. The jute was first dried and then the dried fiber from jute was processed to form a regular and loosely woven porous material for use in forming a coarse scrim layer of pre-planted vegetation mats. The porous surface of the scrim layer helps to hold the plant cuttings in place as the plant cuttings are spread onto the scrim layer.

As the plant cuttings grow into plants 20 on the scrim layer, the roots of the plant cuttings penetrate the porous surface of the scrim layer and are entangled with each other and/or around the pores of the porous surface of the scrim layer. This helps to secure the plants more firmly to the mat, and this in turn facilitates the transportation of the pre-planted vegetation mat. The apertures may have any suitable shape, size and layout. In one embodiment, the apertures are substantially circular in shape and each aperture has an average diameter of from 0.1mm to 8.0mm, preferably from 0.5mm to 3.0 mm. In other embodiments, the apertures have other shapes and the average aperture size of each aperture is 15mm to 25mm long and 15mm to 25mm wide.

The coarse scrim layer has good moisture retention. The scrim layer made of a scrim material helps retain moisture. The impermeable base layer further facilitates the retention of moisture within the mat. This reduces the need to water the plants regularly. Any suitable grade of scrim material may be used as long as it is capable of retaining up to 50% to 70% moisture, or is capable of maintaining the pre-planted vegetation mat in a rolled up position for 12 hours to 2.5 days without compromising the quality of the plant cuttings.

The plant cuttings layer overlying the scrim layer covers substantially the entire surface area of the scrim layer. Plant cuttings are preferred in the present invention as compared to plant seeds because in tropical climates plant cuttings grow relatively better and faster than plant seeds.

As used herein, "plant cuttings" refers to pieces of plant used in horticulture for vegetative propagation. The plant pieces may include stems, roots, and/or leaves of the source plant.

Any suitable plant cuttings may be used. The species of the plant cuttings may be of any suitable type, as long as the plant cuttings are able to withstand the climate in which they are grown. In some exemplary embodiments, the species include, but are not limited to, sedum sarmentosum (sedum sarmentosum), sedum matsutake (sedum mexicanum), purslane (portulaca oleracea), portulaca grandiflora (portulaca grandiflora), portulaca pilosula (portulaca pilososa), atriplex hortensis (portulaca pilososa), wedelia chinensis (pearl grass), carpeting (carpeting grass), phyllostachys pubescens (gallinarum), rabdosia species (plectranthus species), lotus species (alternanthera sphaericoides), primula trilobata (wedelia trilobata), paeonia suffruticosa (dissotis ronatum), sarmentosum (piper sarmentosum), tetrandra (cynanchum glauca), celastrus cristata (cyanotus), celastrus cristatus, echinacea (cyrtotrachelosa), echinacea purpurea (trichotheca, and saint saururus chinensis (passiflora) and blunt leaf. Plant cuttings may be provided in any suitable form, shape and size. The plant cuttings grow into plants on the coarse linen layer. As used herein, "plant" refers to a plant grown from a species from which the plant was cut (including landscape plants and grasses).

In one embodiment, the top cover spread over the plant cutting layer covers a major surface area of the scrim layer ranging from 50% to 100% of the surface area of the scrim layer. A top dressing is applied over the plant cuttings to provide additional nutrients to the plant cuttings. In another embodiment, the top cover is interspersed on the scrim layer as part of the plant cutting layer.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a pre-planted mat in which the plant has fully grown according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

Referring now to fig. 5, the pre-planted vegetation mat 10 further includes a top layer 18 of burlap material overlying the top cover stock 16 and/or the plant cuttings layer 15. The top layer is also made of scrim material. It may be made of a scrim material of the same grade as the scrim layer or a different grade. The top layer 18, which is made of burlap material, has a loosely woven porous surface. The apertures may have the same configuration as the scrim layer 14 or may have a different shape, size, and layout. In one embodiment, the apertures are substantially circular in shape and each aperture has an average diameter of from 0.1mm to 8.0mm, preferably from 0.5mm to 3.0 mm. In other embodiments, the apertures have other shapes and the average aperture size of each aperture is 15mm to 25mm long and 15mm to 25mm wide. The size of the apertures should be sufficient to allow plant cuttings from below the top layer to grow healthily out of the apertures in the top layer and provide adequate coverage of the plant cuttings. Fig. 7 shows an example of a top layer 18 made of burlap material laid over the top dressing 16 and the plant cutting layer 15. The top layer of burlap material provides an initial protective covering over the plant cuttings interspersed on the burlap layer. The top layer prevents the plant cuttings from being washed away under adverse climatic conditions. The top layer also prevents or minimizes weed growth. This added layer increases the moisture retention capacity of the pre-planted vegetation mat. This further reduces the need to water the plants regularly. This added layer allows more nutrients to spread on the pre-planted mat and this provides additional nutrients for the newly growing plants. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of plant cuttings that grow healthily as plants 20 from holes in a top layer made of burlap material, according to the embodiment shown in fig. 5. Figure 9 shows an example of a pre-planted vegetation mat in which the plant 20 has fully grown according to the embodiment shown in figure 5. Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a pre-planted vegetation mat 10 in which the plant 20 has fully grown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The scrim layer extending over the base layer may have the same size and shape as the base layer, or it may have a different size and shape than the base layer. The top layer made of scrim material may have the same size and shape as the scrim layer, or it may have a different size and shape. Preferably, the top layer made of burlap material has the same size and shape as the burlap layer to maximize coverage of the plant cuttings layer scattered over the burlap layer.

In one embodiment, the base layer 12 is provided in the form of a sheet that, when applied to an area, is spread across the area. The scrim layer 14 and the top layer 18 of scrim material are provided in the form of strips. In another embodiment, the base layer 12, the scrim layer 14, and the top layer 18 made of scrim material are provided in the form of strips. The configuration of the individual layers in the form of strips helps facilitate the process of pre-planting plant cuttings on the mat and transporting the mat with plant cuttings and/or plants to a site for installation. In one embodiment, the width of the strip is 0.3m to 2.0m, preferably 0.3m to 1.5m, more preferably 0.3m to 1.2m, even more preferably 0.3m to 1.0m, and most preferably 0.3m to 0.5 m. The strips may have any suitable length. In one embodiment, the length of the strip is 4m to 12 m.

Preferably, the thickness of the base layer 12 of the pre-planted vegetation mat is from 1mm to 10mm, preferably from 1mm to 3 mm. The scrim layer 12 and the top layer 18 made of scrim material each have a thickness of 5mm to 10 mm. The thickness of these layers will affect the cost and weight of the pre-planted vegetation mat. These are some of the factors that the inventors consider when selecting a material for making a pre-planted vegetation mat.

In another embodiment, the scrim layer may be a interwoven layer comprising two or more layers made of scrim material, wherein the two or more layers are stacked on top of each other to form a single integral layer. This embodiment enables the use of existing scrim materials to make a scrim layer according to the desired size of the holes to accommodate plant cuttings of different species growing on the mat. The overall thickness of the pre-planted vegetation mat of this configuration varies depending on the number of layers of scrim material used to make the scrim layer.

In the various embodiments described above, the total thickness of the pre-planted vegetation mat including the base layer, the scrim layer, the plant cutting layer, and the top cover is in the range of 30mm to 50 mm. The total thickness of the pre-planted vegetation mat including the base layer, the scrim layer, the plant cutting layer, the top cover and the top layer made of scrim material is in the range of 30mm to 55 mm. This thickness is relatively thin compared to some vegetation mats known in the art (which may be about 50mm to 75 mm). This reduced thickness reduces the overall weight of the pre-planted vegetation mat.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of producing a pre-planted vegetation mat having a plant cutting is provided. The method includes providing a base layer 12 made of an impermeable material. A scrim layer 14 made of a scrim material having a porous surface configured to receive plant cuttings is then laid on the base layer 12. Various plant cuttings 15 are spread on the scrim layer 14. Alternatively, compost and/or fertilizer may be added to the plant cuttings. Examples of composts that may be used include, but are not limited to, coconut coir, bark, mulch, and peat moss from raised marshes. Any suitable type of fertilizer may be used. A fertilizer is provided to initiate the growth process of the plant cuttings.

After the plant cuttings are spread on the scrim layer, the top cover 16 is applied over the plant cuttings, or the top cover 16 is applied over the scrim layer as part of the plant cuttings. The top cover may comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of sphagnum, cocoa peat, black loose soil and combinations thereof.

The plant-cuttings species are then allowed to grow on the porous surface of the scrim layer. Plant cuttings are grown in such a way: the roots of the plant cuttings extend through the porous surface of the scrim layer and are entangled together around the pores of the scrim layer. Due to the impermeability of the base layer, the roots of the plant cuttings cannot penetrate the base layer. As a result, the roots of the plant cuttings grow and extend horizontally in the space between the basal layer and the burlap layer. As the roots of the plant cuttings grow longer, the roots entangle with each other, with some of the roots locking themselves to the porous surface of the scrim layer. Fig. 10 is an exemplary embodiment showing how the roots of the plants are entangled with each other and with the porous surface of the scrim layer 14. This secures the plant 20 firmly to the scrim layer 14 and holds the plant 20 in place. The plants 20 may be secured to the scrim layer 14 at uniformly spaced locations or in a random manner.

In one embodiment, the method further includes laying a top layer 18 of burlap material on the top cover stock 16 and/or the plant cuttings 15. The size of the top layer made of burlap material should be sufficient to cover substantially the entire layer of top cover stock and/or plant cuttings to provide maximum coverage over the top cover stock and/or plant cuttings. In this embodiment, plant cuttings are grown from below the top layer of burlap material and through the holes of the top layer of burlap material. The size of the holes should be sufficient to allow plant cuttings from beneath the top layer made of scrim material to grow healthily out of the holes in the top layer and provide adequate coverage of the plant cuttings. The method may further comprise spreading a further layer of cover material comprising nutrients over the top layer of burlap material to provide additional nutrients to plants growing from the top layer.

Once the plant is fully grown, the plant is ready to be harvested. Fig. 9 shows an example of the look of a pre-planted vegetation mat when the plant is fully grown on the pre-planted vegetation mat. Harvesting the plants involves rolling up pre-planted mats of vegetation. In embodiments where the base layer and the scrim layer are provided in strips, the base layer and the scrim layer are rolled together with the plant. In embodiments where the scrim layer is provided in strip form, the scrim layer is rolled up with the plant without rolling up the base layer. In embodiments that include a top layer, the top layer, scrim layer, and base layer are rolled with the plant. Not in the form of strips In another embodiment for the base layer, the top and scrim layers are rolled together with the plant. Providing the pre-planted vegetation mat in strip form eliminates the need to cut the mat to size prior to rolling the mat. This makes the harvesting process relatively fast and easy, and less labor intensive. Typical weight of the mat per strip was 1kg/m²To 5kg/m²Depending on the moisture content of the scrim layer and the top layer made of scrim material. This is significantly lighter than those known in the art, which typically weigh 10kg/m²To 15kg/m²In the range of (for mats made of, for example, coconut fibres), and 25kg/m²To 35kg/m²In the range of (for pads made of, for example, polymer meshes).

In various embodiments, pre-planted vegetation mats are irrigated with an aqueous solution to prevent the mats from drying out. The frequency of irrigation varies according to the climatic conditions of the area. In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-planted vegetation mat is irrigated with an aqueous solution at least once a day. Any suitable type of aqueous solution may be used, including but not limited to water, recycled water from a holding tank, water containing organic enzymes, and the like.

Providing pre-planted vegetation mats in the form of strips also allows the mats to be relatively easily replaced when needed, particularly when the vegetation on the mat withers or needs to be replaced with another type of vegetation. This allows different types of species to be grown on a single region. This method is useful when it is desired to provide different species to beautify an area or for any other purpose.

Generally, the pre-planted vegetation mat of the present invention can be used for various purposes. For example, it may be laid on an area with soil or on a surface without soil, such as a roof. In embodiments where pre-planted vegetation mats are laid on an area with soil, the mats are first unrolled and the base layer made of impermeable layers is removed before laying the mats on the area. Further plant cuttings and soil may be spread on the scrim layer so that a portion of the area is rapidly vegetated. As the plant continues to grow, the roots of the plant will grow into the soil of the area, thereby securing the pre-planted vegetation mat with the plant more securely to the area. In embodiments where pre-planted vegetation mats are laid on a surface without soil, the mats are simply unrolled and laid onto the surface without removing a base layer made of an impermeable layer.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of producing a plurality of pre-planted vegetation mats having plant cuttings is provided. The method includes providing a base layer made of an impermeable material, and laying a first plurality of two or more scrim layer strips in a spaced apart manner on the base layer, wherein each scrim layer strip has a porous surface configured to receive a plant cutting. Species of plant cuttings were spread over each strip of burlap layer. Alternatively, compost and/or fertilizer may be added to the plant cuttings.

After the plant cuttings are spread on the strips of scrim layer, a top coat is applied over the plant cuttings on each strip of scrim layer, or over the scrim layer as part of the plant cuttings. In another embodiment, the method further comprises laying a top layer of scrim material over the top dressing and/or plant cuttings on each strip of scrim layer. Each mat, including the various layers, is irrigated with an aqueous solution to prevent the mat from drying out.

The plant-cuttings species were then allowed to grow on the porous surface of each strip of scrim layer in the same manner as described above.

Prior to harvesting the plants, a second batch of two or more scrim layer strips is laid on the base layer, wherein each strip of the second batch is placed between two adjacent strips from the first batch. This allows species growth of plant cuttings from the first scrim layer to spread onto the second scrim layer strips. Once the plant cuttings from the first scrim layer are ready to be harvested, the first scrim layer is rolled up and a new batch of two or more scrim layer strips is provided in place of it. This makes the harvesting process relatively faster and more cost effective because fewer plant cuttings are required for each new batch of burlap layers. Fig. 11 shows an example of several pre-planted mats with fully grown plants laid next to each other.

The method of the present invention provides a simple way to pre-plant vegetation on a pre-planted vegetation mat prior to transporting the vegetation to a desired location. This method is less labor intensive than conventional methods of growing vegetation because the plant cuttings of the present invention can be grown on the mat without excessive supervision and intervention. The method requires fewer steps to plant vegetation on the pre-planted vegetation mat.

The pre-planted vegetation mat of the present invention can be easily rolled up for storage and/or transport. One of the factors contributing to this advantage is that the roots of the plant cuttings do not penetrate the impermeable base layer, and this allows for easy removal of the mat from the field where the mat is placed for pre-planting the plant cuttings. Another factor contributing to this advantage is that the pre-planted vegetation mat is relatively thin and light due to the materials used to form the various layers of the mat. The scrim material used to produce the pre-planted vegetation mat is relatively light compared to conventional mats formed from a three-dimensional polymer web heat welded to a two-dimensional nonwoven polymer layer.

The scrim layer and the top layer of the mat have a higher moisture retention capacity due to the scrim material used to form these layers. This allows pre-planted mats to be rolled, stored and transported without compromising the quality of the plant. The mat can be rolled up in this way for up to 12 hours to 2.5 days without compromising the quality of the plant.

Comparing mats made from burlap materials with coconut palm or other organic mat materials, the pre-planted vegetation mats of the present invention have better moisture retention and allow plant cuttings to grow 2 to 3 times faster and have higher survival rates to form vegetation mats. In contrast to pre-planted vegetation mats that use a coir mat or other form of mesh that requires multiple applications of a thick and heavy top dressing to the mat, the pre-planted vegetation mat of the present invention requires only a very thin layer of top dressing. This affects costs in the form of material and labor costs. Due to the nature of the dependence on the labor required to form a uniform and thick top layer, if the top layer for a coir mat is not completed correctly, the vegetation mat will not have 100% coverage, perhaps only 70% to 80% coverage, within a given standard period of time. This is because the area of the coir mat without the top cover would be too dry. This will not allow any form of root to grow there.

The pre-planted vegetation mat of the present invention is soilless. The mat is easy to transport, store and handle. The porous surface of the scrim layer facilitates the growth of plant cuttings on the scrim layer, and this in turn allows the pre-planted vegetation mat to be easily transported without running the risk of vegetation falling off the mat. Pre-planted vegetation mats have greatly improved storage characteristics. The frequency of watering plant cuttings is reduced due to the relatively high water retention capacity. This reduces labor costs and improves efficiency and reliability. The pre-planted vegetation mat of the present invention is also environmentally friendly in that the scrim layer and the top layer made of scrim material will decompose in about 60 days.

The following examples illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the examples set forth below are not an exhaustive list of embodiments of the invention.

Examples of the invention

Example 1

Pre-planted vegetation mats made of coconut fiber (or coconut coir mat) are prepared and allowed to grow under the same conditions as the pre-planted vegetation mats of the present invention. The results obtained after 40 days of growth are shown in fig. 12 to 16.

Fig. 12 shows that after 7 days, cuttings of plants grown on coconut fiber mats dried relatively quickly compared to pre-planted vegetation mats of the present invention (201). Since it does not retain sufficient moisture on the mat, even if plant cuttings of the same species are used and grown under the same conditions, the growth of the plants is relatively slow compared to the mat of the present invention. Fig. 13 and 14 show the slow establishment of plants on a coconut fibre mat (301, 401). Figure 15 shows that plants grown on coconut fibre mats started to rot after 7 days (501).

The results also show that the coverage of the plants grown on the coconut fiber mat is not 100%, as shown in figure 16 (601). In contrast, in the present invention, the coverage of the plants grown on the inventive mats was about 100%. This is clearly shown in fig. 17.

Pre-planted vegetation mats made from coconut fibre tend to be very stiff and decompose poorly. Mats of this nature can last from 3 years to 10 years, making them relatively difficult to maintain when installed on green roofs.

Example 2

Fig. 18 shows another example of plant cuttings growing on a mat comprising oil palm fibres. The growth of plants on such mats is not uniform (801) as some areas of the mat may be drier than others, resulting in slower establishment of plants.

Example 3

Fig. 19 and 20 each show an example of plant cuttings grown on a mat including a polymer netting. The images show that plant cuttings growing on the polymer net tend to overgrow the weeds (901, 101) on the mat.

The foregoing is a description of what the inventors regard as their subject matter and it is believed that one skilled in the art can and will design alternative embodiments that include the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A pre-planted vegetation mat comprising:

a base layer made of an impermeable material;

a scrim layer extending over the base layer;

a plant cutting layer covering the coarse linen layer; and

a top cover dispersed on or as part of the plant cutting, the top cover comprising one or more substances selected from the group consisting of sphagnum moss, cocoa peat, black loose soil, and combinations thereof; and is

Wherein the scrim layer has a porous surface configured to receive the plant cuttings.

2. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 further comprising:

a top layer made of burlap material overlying the top cover stock and/or the plant cutting layer.

3. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 or 2 wherein the impermeable material is a polymeric plastic material.

4. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 wherein the scrim layer has a thickness of 5mm to 10 mm.

5. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 2 wherein the top layer of scrim material is 5 to 10mm thick.

6. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 wherein the base layer has a thickness of 1 to 10mm, preferably 1 to 3 mm.

7. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 wherein the scrim layer is provided in the form of a strip.

8. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 2 wherein the top layer of scrim material is provided in the form of a strip.

9. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 wherein the pre-planted vegetation mat is in the form of a strip.

10. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 or 9 wherein the pre-planted vegetation mat is 4 to 12m in length.

11. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 9 or 10 wherein the width of the pre-planted vegetation mat is from 0.3m to 2.0 m.

12. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 9 wherein the weight of the strip is 1kg/m²To 5kg/m²。

13. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 or 2 wherein the plant cuttings grow into plants on the coarse scrim layer and roots of the plant cuttings extend through the porous surface of the coarse scrim layer and are entangled together around pores of the porous surface of the coarse scrim layer.

14. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 or 13 wherein the plant is a garden plant or grass.

15. The pre-planted vegetation mat according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the total thickness of the pre-planted vegetation mat is from 30mm to 50 mm.

16. The pre-planted vegetation mat of claim 1 wherein the scrim layer comprises two or more layers of scrim material that are stacked upon one another to form a single integral layer disposed between the base layer and the plant-cutting layer.

17. A method of producing a pre-planted vegetation mat having plant cuttings, the method comprising:

providing a base layer made of an impermeable material;

laying a course scrim layer on the base layer, wherein the course scrim layer has a porous surface configured to receive plant cuttings;

spreading species of plant cuttings on the coarse scrim layer;

optionally, adding compost and/or fertilizer to the scrim layer;

spreading a top dressing over or as part of the plant cuttings; and

allowing the species of the plant cuttings to grow into plants on the porous surface of the coarse scrim layer such that roots of the plant cuttings extend through the porous surface of the coarse scrim layer and are entangled together around pores of the coarse scrim layer.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

laying a top layer made of burlap material on the top cover stock and/or the plant cuttings.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the top cover comprises one or more substances selected from the group consisting of sphagnum moss, cocoa peat, black loose soil and combinations thereof.

20. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the impermeable material is a polymeric plastics material.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the scrim layer has a thickness of 5mm to 10 mm.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the top layer of scrim material has a thickness of 5mm to 10 mm.

23. A method according to claim 17, wherein the base layer has a thickness of 1mm to 10mm, preferably 1mm to 3 mm.

24. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the pre-planted vegetation mat has a total thickness of 30mm to 50 mm.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the scrim layer is provided in the form of a tape.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the scrim layer and the top layer of scrim material are both provided in the form of strips.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the base layer is provided in the form of a strip.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the pre-planted vegetation mat is 4 to 12m in length.

29. The method of claim 17 or 28, wherein the pre-planted vegetation mat is 0.3 to 2.0m wide.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of laying up the scrim layer comprises laying up two or more scrim layers on top of each other to form a single integral layer.

31. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the plant is a landscape plant or a grass.