Hypertufa Planter ABC

This is a basic recipe for Hypertufa planter that is light in weight, yet it looks as heavy as those solid cement planters in the Plant Shop. Make sure you wear latex gloves when making these. What you need is a cardboard box or plastic dishpan or kitty-litter box or any large container that would hold the shape you desire. You can use the inside of the container for your shape or the outside of the container to make your shape. You decide! If you are using wood or metal as a pattern, line it with plastic and expect it to take longer to cure. If you are using a plastic pan make sure you spray the mold with Pam or any vegetable oil spray. You will make your pot about 1-1/2 " to 2" thick. Remember the thicker it is , the longer the curing time. And you don't want it too thick that it would crack. You will mix the ingredients with just enough water to make a thick-rough-dough like substance that you will plaster on or inside your mold. Use a 1/2 inch to 1 inch, dowel to make holes on the bottom of the pot. (these will be the drain holes) To measure the thickness of your patted-on substance, use a bar-b-q bamboo stick and poke it through the side walls to see the thickness. Then repair hole. After it is shaped the way you want it, you can embellish it with old jewelry, chains, broken plates or colored glass. Just push them into the sides, gently. Now place your new created container into a a large black plastic bag and close it. Let it dry slowly, at least 3-5 days. Then bring it out into the sun and sun-dry for 2-4 days. Now you can separate the pan from the pot and dry for 2-3 days. Happy Planting!

RECIPE:

• 1 part Portland cement (white)
• 1-1/2 parts peat
• 1-1/2 parts perlite

For a stronger Hypertufa but a little heavier:

• 1 part Portland cement
• 1 part sand
• 1 part peat
• 1 part perlite or vermiclite

For a Hypertufa with mesh (for strength) also much heavier, use this recipe:

• 2 parts portland cement
• 2 parts peat moss
• 1/2 coarse sand or fine gravel
• 1 large handful nylon fiberglass-mesh