Hypertufa How To - How To Make Hypertufa Containers For Gardens

How do you make a hypertufa planter?

Mix 1 part Portland cement with 1.5 parts each of peat moss and perlite in a large tub. ...
Pack the hypertufa mixture into the bottom of a box in a 2-inch thick layer, creating the floor of your container. ...
Insert a smaller container inside the larger box, on top of the base layer of the concrete mixture.

How long do hypertufa pots last?

The durability of hypertufa containers depends on the ingredients you use. Those made with sand can last 20 years or more, but they are quite heavy. If you substitute with perlite, the container will be much lighter, but you will probably only get 10 years of use out of it.

What are the ingredients in hypertufa?

Hypertufa is made by combining various aggregates (sphagnum moss, sand, perlite, vermiculite) with Portland cement. Planters made from hypertufa have a rough and rustic appearance.

What grows in hypertufa pots?

Planting In Hypertufa Containers

Rock plants. A big group of rock plants looks great in a large stone-effect container or a huge craggy trough. ...
Grassy plants. ...
Conifers. ...
Trees. Japanese maple, pictured, is a really good small tree for a pot – You get structural shapes and good foliage, and most kinds have great fall color.

Can hypertufa freeze?

My hypertufa will stay outside all winter. ... When I started making hypertufa, I wanted it to replace some concrete planters that were crumbling and breaking apart. Concrete or cement pots don't do well in the freeze/thaw cycle, but hypertufa in winter cold does very well.

Why are my cement pots cracking?

The first and most common reason your concrete planter pot cracked is because the mix contained too much water. The more water that is in the mix, the better the chance that as it evaporates, the concrete will shrink. Concrete by nature will shrink, but the extra water can cause it to shrink too much or quickly.

Can you paint hypertufa pots?

Yes, You Can Paint Hypertufa!

How long does hypertufa need to cure?

Curing Once you have molded the hypertufa in to the form and you are happy with the way it looks, it is time to begin the curing process. This is a two stage process; the first part lasts between 24-48 hours and the longer curing should take about four weeks.

Can I use Styrofoam instead of perlite?

Styrofoam is NOT a substitute for Perlite. It is NOT a naturally occurring substance and does NOT decompose. Perlite is a volcanic glass that is mined and heated into small round spheres. It allows air around plant roots and lightens soil mixtures.

Which cement is best for making pots?

QUIKRETE® Concrete Mix (No. 1101) is the original 4000 psi average compressive strength blend of Portland cement, sand, and gravel or stone. Just add water. Use for any general concrete work.

How do you make homemade perlite?

Mix 2 parts sphagnum peat moss, 1 part dry cement mix and 1 part coarse sand in a large container. The amount of each ingredient to add depends on the size of the planter you wish to make.

What does hypertufa mean?

The term "hypertufa" refers to a type of artificial stone, and is a conglomerate of the words "tufa," a natural volcanic rock, and "hyper," a prefix meaning excessively or extremely; hypertufa are extremely rock-like containers.

Can cement planters stay outside in winter?

The cold won't affect them as much as summer's heat and moisture. Concrete is also a yawn-inducing container. Concrete can crack, especially if it is thin and wasn't conditioned properly when it was formed. ... Generally, if the pot is glazed inside and out, it won't absorb any moisture.

What is the difference between Portland cement and cement?

Although the terms cement and concrete often are used interchangeably, cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. ... Portland cement is not a brand name, but the generic term for the type of cement used in virtually all concrete, just as stainless is a type of steel and sterling a type of silver.

Do concrete planters need drainage holes?

If you've ever been shopping for a planter, you know that options become limited because not every planter has a drain hole. One great example is our concrete vessel. ... But to keep that succulent alive, it needs a bed or rocks at the bottom and ideally a drainage hole for excess water.

What can I add to cement to make it lighter?

Mixing Lightweight Concrete

Using less sand can make the product lighter, but it can also make the concrete weaker structurally. A simple recipe for basic lightweight concrete is to combine 8 parts sand, 8 parts cement and 8 parts perlite to 5 parts water.

How do you make homemade concrete planters?

Step-by-Step for a DIY Cement Planter

Mix Cement and Water. ...
Form the Milk Carton, Yogurt Container, or Plastic Food Container Planter. ...
Let the Cement Planters Dry Overnight. ...
Remove the Layers.
Sand Your Planter. ...
Fill Your DIY Cement Planters With Your Plants and Succulents!

Is cracking in concrete normal?

Hairline cracks in a concrete slab are rarely a cause for concern. They can be controlled, but not eliminated. A crack in a slab of 1/8 inch or less is typically a normal shrinkage crack and not a cause for concern.

How do you stop concrete cracks from shrinking?

To avoid plastic shrinkage, the key is to keep the concrete surface moist by covering it with burlap, polyethylene sheeting or plastic. This is especially important in extreme weather conditions such as high wind, hot temperatures or direct sunlight.

How thick does concrete need to be to not crack?

Applied-load cracking.

In residential concrete, 4 inches is the minimum thickness for walkways and patios. Garage slabs and driveways should be 5 to 6 inches thick if any heavy truck traffic is anticipated, otherwise 4 inches is adequate.