Cotton barrier for Dual root Zone

[Suzanne Hayes]

Has anyone used cotton as a barrier between the clay media and the soil-less mix when setting up dual rood zone pots?  I have old cotton painters rags (unused) which I was looking to use rather than buying some burlap.  I was thinking of using some cut up clear soda bottles with holes punched through them, media I have one and and then the seed starting mix I use with my seedlings.  I will probably stretch out the cotton a bit first to loosen the weave. 

Any thoughts?

[Sylvia Bernstein]

Hi Suzanne.  The issue with using cotton will probably be root penetration.  We like the burlap because the roots go right through it, but most of the soil is kept away from the media below so we can reuse it.  So if you use the cotton you might want to punch a bunch of small holes in it first.