Why peat moss in hypertufa

The second mold doesn't have to be the same shape; you can use a round mold inside a larger square mold, if desired. Fill in the space between the two mold containers with moist hypertufa mixture. Press the mixture firmly to release air pockets. You don't necessarily have to use a second container at all because the mixture should be thick enough to hold shape if you simply press it against the sides of the main mold container. Wrap the filled molds in a large plastic bag and store in a cool, dry location for two to three weeks to allow the mixture to harden and cure.

Open the bag once daily and spray the hypertufa with a gentle mist of water to strengthen the hypertufa. Remove the plastic bag and carefully release the hypertufa container from the mold containers. Pop the dowel or pipe out of the bottom to reveal the drainage hole. Brush the sides and round the edges with a stiff wire brush. You can also use a screwdriver to carve grooves and designs in the pot.

Return the container to the plastic bag and cure for about two more weeks; spray the container daily during the curing process. Fill the basin with water frequently for a period of 10 days, allowing the water to drain out the hole and through the porous hypertufa to leach the alkalinity from the pot, making it suitable for all plants. It's like making mud pies for adults.

It's fun, low-key, great for patio parties; messy ones in jeans that is. Working with hypertufa is easy for the beginner, McMahan said. Just start over. It's about as expensive as spilt milk. Hypertufa containers work well for rock gardens, succulents, alpine plants and other "fussy" little plants, McMahan said.

You can stack them and raise plants to various levels. European gardeners have used stone troughs and other obsolete cement for planters for centuries, McMahan said.

The stone containers made such a splendid addition to ornamental gardens, they soon became a "must have" in the European countryside. Over time, the stone cast-offs became rare, so folks turned to tufa rock, a soft volcanic porous rock that is easily hollowed and carved. By the s and 40s, tufa rocks became less available and expensive. Creative gardeners decided to make their own "tufa" and called it hypertufa.

Hypertufa planters made with sand can easily stand up for 20 years, said McMahan. Plant roots can make their way into crevices and quicken the breakdown process.

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