I also have become very interested in hypertufa making BUT am wondering about longevity in cold climates.

Anyone experienced with outdoor hypertufa troughs willing to share tips on formulas for mix and tips for molds? (Entirely for semps, sedums, and a few alpine plants.)

@goldfinch4
Chris has a lot of experience with hypertufa, and she lives in real winter country. Wisconsin.

I have a few containers that have been outside for many years and are still doing well. I have yet to make my own hypertufa. Maybe we should get together and make some?

valleylynn said:@goldfinch4
Chris has a lot of experience with hypertufa, and she lives in real winter country. Wisconsin.

I have a few containers that have been outside for many years and are still doing well. I have yet to make my own hypertufa. Maybe we should get together and make some?

PERFECT!!! My house! Since I don't want to have to come get big planters when they are done.

I'm curious what Chris has to say about a formula for cold weather. I've asked in the hypertufa garden group on FB and there are a number of people with troughs out for years in much colder weather than we have here. What I am still waiting to hear is if they keep the planters elevated a bit (on wood maybe) to promote better drainage than my solid clay dirt will offer....

I would elevate them with stones underneath. How big do you want to make them?
Chris should be along in a day or two. I would trust her recipe.

valleylynn said:I would elevate them with stones underneath. How big do you want to make them?
Chris should be along in a day or two. I would trust her recipe.

I just heard from one of the FB hypertufa folks that she fills children's buckets with hypertufa leftovers and dries/cures them and then soaks them to leach and uses those for "feet" on the planters. The feet are not attached but when the trough is placed on them and filled with dirt, it is stable and does not fall down.

One of them also used one of the plastic underbed storage boxes as a mold and I'm thinking that is large enough for me although I'm still musing about whether those boxes would be deep enough.

Hmmm, some very good ideas Rita. I like the idea of the Walmart under bed storage units. I have some of those, and I think they would be deep enough for me. Maybe I better take a look at them, the hypertufa in the bottom would have to be thick enough to stay strong.

valleylynn said:Hmmm, some very good ideas Rita. I like the idea of the Walmart under bed storage units. I have some of those, and I think they would be deep enough for me. Maybe I better take a look at them, the hypertufa in the bottom would have to be thick enough to stay strong.

Smaller pots are placed on solo cup (the small ones) feet made up every time there is leftover mix and soaked in water once cured. Bigger troughs go on children's sand buckets according to a woman in a very cold state. She also uses a formula a bit different than the rest (adding sand).

That FB group is very helpful and international so you get MANY feedbacks on specific questions suited to your climate. I don't know the rules here but am happy to add a link to the group if that is allowed.

I'm trying to coax a UKian to tell me how to make Easter Island head planter pots that look fabulous and HUGE. Very cool.

You can post a link Rita.

I thought I had done this last night but I either did it wrong or forgot to press FINISHED. Two links below:

1) a tutorial for beginners that is fabulous and posted in the Facebook Group that is the #2 link. I liked this especially because it has pictures and information on quantity needed of each "part" of the hypertufa recipe. Also because my spatial skills are not good and these pictures show an EASY way to make drain holes. http://blog.sunsethostafarm.co...

2) And this is the Hypertufa Gardener Group on Facebook--you will see my initial question and then a number of people have made separate posts showing their pots, varying formulas, and hints on making them. This IS a treasure trove of data for those new to hypertufa or wanting to learn from the experienced around the world. https://www.facebook.com/group...

Sorry, you did it correct the first time. I forgot to post a connecting link in this thread for the new split thread.
The thread "Hypertufa for succulents" in Sempervivum forum

Sorry for the flow response. Have been dealing with many serious family health issues the last week and haven't been on line. For now, here's a link on an article I did on hypertufa. https://garden.org/ideas/view/... Will come back when time allows and try to answer any questions you have.

Thank you Chris. I forgot about that article. Keeping you and your family in prayer.