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Hypertufa, the Look of Carved Stone

By goldfinch4
March 26, 2010

Do you like the looks of carved stone planters? Then hypertufa is for you. Here is my recipe and instructions on how to make your own unique trough, bowl, or box.

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Jun 21, 2012 2:46 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Critter (Jill)
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Critters Allowed Butterflies Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Bee Lover Region: Mid-Atlantic Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Tropicals Hibiscus
We're having a "hyperfuta party" at my place Saturday. Some folks are coming from a distance away, so they'd really like to take their projects home with them to unmold and cure.

As long as we bag things as soon as they're done (so they don't start drying out), is there any reason they can't be moved a few hours later to go home? When people get home, should they do anything to their piece other than moving it to a safe corner in its bag? I'm wondering if we need to mist the surfaces of the pieces when we get them home and pat it firmly all over to moosh together any cracks trying to form.

As I just over-thinking this? LOL I really want everybody's pots to succeed, and none of us have done this before!
We're all learners, doers, teachers.
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Jun 22, 2012 12:38 AM CST
Name: Chris
Ripon, Wisconsin
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Seller of Garden Stuff I sent a postcard to Randy!
Sempervivums Sedums Region: Wisconsin Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I guess it would depend on what you use for a form or mold. If you use something that isn't flexible (hard plastic, metal, etc.) it should be OK to move them, but I'd still be concerned about large bumps in the road. The size would also factor into it. The smaller they are, the better they will travel. Hypertufa starts to set up pretty quickly. If cracks form from moving them several hours after you make them, I think the pots would always be weak in that area and prone to break. I don't think you'd be able to moosh them back together well enough if they broke - they might look OK, but the strength would be compromised. The pieces really are pretty fragile until they set up all the way. Even after 24 hours when you remove them from the mold they break easily.

Assuming you're using rigid forms/molds, what I would do is have everyone bring a heavy cardboard box lined with a bunch of old towels or rags and place the pots in there for transporting. That would help a bit to absorb any bumps in the road.

Good luck Jill - sounds like a fun day!!
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Jun 23, 2012 7:41 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Critter (Jill)
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Critters Allowed Butterflies Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Bee Lover Region: Mid-Atlantic Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Tropicals Hibiscus
Thanks! We'll stick with smaller pieces, molded to the inside of bowls & containers, nestled in sand when we can. I told everybody to bring newspapers, grocery bags, etc. to crumple up for cushioning.
We're all learners, doers, teachers.
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Jun 23, 2012 8:05 AM CST
Name: Chris
Ripon, Wisconsin
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Seller of Garden Stuff I sent a postcard to Randy!
Sempervivums Sedums Region: Wisconsin Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Thumbs up Have a really great time and be sure to share some pictures too!
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Jun 23, 2012 8:22 AM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Jill, be sure to take lots of photos. We want to share in the fun. Hurray! Hurray!
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Jun 23, 2012 9:52 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Critter (Jill)
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Critters Allowed Butterflies Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Bee Lover Region: Mid-Atlantic Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Tropicals Hibiscus
You bet! Thanks!!

Sure wish you could join us... we could use some expert hands on deck! Smiling
We're all learners, doers, teachers.
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