I am curious as to whether anyone knows what I can treat my new Papercrete pots with so that the excess lime from concrete is not an issue for plant roots.
Has anyone used a sealer of sorts.
Rick

I make lots of hypertufa pots. I don't treat them or seal them, but rather leach the lime out of them before I plant. After the initial cure, I soak them in a tub of water for 4-6 days, changing the water every day. You'd be amazed by the amount of crud that ends up in the water.

I do use a concrete sealer on concrete that I paint though. I use Behr concrete sealer. But I like the way hypertufa "breathes" so I don't seal that.

Thanks Goldfinch4,
I had read about doing the soak and I do appreciate you confirming it for me. Had never made Papercrete pots until this year, but I cannot imagine why the leaching process would not be the same.
Years ago when I made hypertufa's with a Club I belonged to, we used a product called Sodium Permanganate to soak them in breafly, but do not have and could not remember quantaties or where to get.
I probably will seal it after I leach it for a bit, as I am going to use this one inside.
I appreciate your help.
Rick

Would love to see pictures of your pots Rick. I've heard lots about papercrete but have never tried it myself. Since you've done both that and hypertufa, do you have a preference over which is easier or more fun to work with?

Chris,
I will take a few photo's of them this weekend and post. I am not sure whether I have a preference, but I did find that the Papercrete is alot lighter in color and also in weight. It may be a bit easier to mold with, but then it has been a few year's since I have done hypertufa's.
More of an effortr making the papercrete as you have to shred and soak the paper prior, where with the hypertufa's you just use peat moss.
Going to try it with Federal White Portland Cement instead of the Regular Portland Cement which typically grey.
I used Perlite in the mix this time also which I have never done.
Rick

Thanks, I'll look forward to pictures when you get some time!

Chris,
Here are a few photo's of the two Papercrete pots that I made recently. Gives me a good idea as to what I want to create in the next month or so.





The square one is about 6 1/2". The circular/bowl shaped one is 18" across the top.
Rick

Nice. Thanks for the pictures. Great shape on the square one, and love how big the round one is! I'm sure it's substantially lighter weight than a hypertufa one would be. The paper seems to give it a unique shading too. I've found the white portland cement was quite a bit more expensive around here. I only purchased it one time.

Love this thread. Great information.
Rick, what did you use for a mold on the square container?

I used a square plastic pot that I have. The relief design is in the inside as well.
Keeping a look out for other cheap pots that have the same. Need to do a negative mold
to have design on outside of Papercrete pot.
Rick

I never thought of looking for things that would have a design on the inside. Think I'll hit the yard sales.