Hyper-whata? Hypertufa Pots, 33 Shades of Green
.I’m so excited to be here at Remodelaholic guest posting again! Thank you Cassity for having me! Please come and visit me at my blog, 33 Shades of Green. You’ll find me cooking, crafting, decorating, and trying out all sorts of creative projects.
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I made these hypertufa pots after seeing this article in the March 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. My Mom and I made hypertufa pots a few years ago using a similar method. They were larger than these and not quite as cool! When I saw this article I knew I had to try again. It’s actually a pretty easy project.
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Supplies you will need:
– Various containers. You can use almost anything but I collected plastic and cardboard containers. I also used metal but it didn’t work for me (more on that later!).
– Peat Moss
– Perlite
– Portland Cement
– Mold Release Spray (I ended up using a no-stick cooking spray after researching online.)
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The perlite, portland cement, and peat moss are all readily available at Home Depot or Lowes. Make sure that you use real portland cement and not a quick-set material. Also, you want to use peat moss that is finely ground and not in large pieces.
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In order to make your mold you will need to nest two containers together. Both should have sides that are straight or taper out and make sure that there is a gap of at least 3/4 between them.
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Mix together equal parts perlite, peat moss and portland cement in a large container. The amount you use of each does not matter as long as they are equal parts. I used 2 quarts of each. A wheelbarrow would be great to use for mixing, but I don’t have one so I used an old rubbermaid container.
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Make sure you wear gloves!
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Slowly begin to add water and mix until mixture is the consistency of cottage cheese.
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Coat containers with mold release spray. Pour mixture into the outer mold until it is an inch thick. Add the inner container and start adding mixture around all the sides. You can fill the inner mold with sand or water to steady it. Pack mixture in tightly.
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This is what my containers looked like after I had added the mixture.
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Cover the containers with plastic. After 24 hours remove the inner mold. Replace plastic. After 36 hours remove outer mold. This is where I had a little trouble. I was able to easily remove the plastic and cardboard containers. But the one metal container I used would not come off. I guess I should have followed directions and used mold release spray. Stick with cardboard and plastic and you won’t have any trouble!
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After removing molds, you can drill holes using a masonry bit in the bottom of the container for drainage. Also, use a planer file or sand paper to smooth out any rough edges.
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Recover containers with plastic and let sit for several weeks in order to finish curing.
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Finally, your pots will be finished!
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Aren’t they cool?
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I planted with succulents and placed the pots in my screen porch.
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I am just thrilled with these little pots. I love how they turned out!
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Try these – I think you will be happy with the results! If you have any questions, please drop by 33 Shades of Green.
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Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.
>I love that! Thanks for the guest post and great project, love how it turned out. Heading over to your blog to follow…
>OH my gosh Ali! These are AWESOME! I wish I was 1/4 as crafty as you are! Love these!
>Dang it, something else I'm going to have to make…where's my list…
>I saw that article in MS also and have been wanting to try it. Thank you for the do's and don't s of the project. I can't wait to try it out!
>Okay, yet another project I must try. You blogger ladies are so ambitious that it's hard for me to keep up!!
>too cool!!!
>That is so awesome!!! I now have to go buy MS magazines 🙂 and some concrete and moss. LOL
Thanks for sharing!
novicemommie.blogspot.com- HOMEMAKING 101
>I almost wish I didn't read great ideas like these. My to-do list just keeps getting longer! Hold on a sec, a girl needs a breather!
Seriously though, these are too cute. I absolutely love them!
>How cool is that??? And, easy, too. I think my boys would LOVE to get in on it!
>I love these! This would make such a great housewarming or hostess gift. Thanks!
>These are FABULOUS! I wonder if you could add some powder color to the mix if you wanted? Love them.
>Yay! I love this post. I saw something like this at the store and so wanted to try it. Now I can.
Any reason why a quick set cement material wont work?
This post is from a guest, so I’m not 100% certain — you could try it, but the different makeup of the quick set cement vs. traditional might impact the strength of the final result.