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These small hypertufa pots are just the thing for displaying succulents and other small plants. Repurposing plastic nursery pots provides a ready-made form for molding the hypertufa. When selecting a plastic pot to use as a mold, remember that the finished container will be about 1 ½" smaller than the original, due to the thickness of the hypertufa walls. Materials:Perlite Tools:Drop cloth Directions:1. Spread drop cloth to protect work area. Wearing dust mask and gloves, mix 3 parts perlite, 3 parts peat moss, and 2 parts Portland cement in plastic tub. Avoid breathing cement dust. 2. Add enough water to form a mixture that has the consistency of moist cottage cheese. The mixture will appear darker in this form than when dried. If desired, pigment can be added to mixture. 3. Push handful of wet hypertufa mixture firmly against bottom of plastic container being used as mold. Once base is about 1" thick, build ¾" thick sides by pushing mixture firmly against the sides of the plastic pot. Press bottom and sides firmly to remove air pockets. 4. Create drainage hole by pushing your finger or small dowel through the bottom hole in plastic pot. Be sure to penetrate hypertufa mixture. 5. Cover pot with plastic bag so it remains moist during cure time for hypertufa, about 7 to 10 days. Once hypertufa has set, cut plastic mold and tear it away from partially-dried pot. If desired, use rasp to roughen surface of hypertufa for a more-rustic appearance. 6. Continue to let hypertufa dry slowly for several more weeks under plastic. Remove plastic and let drying process complete in open air. Total drying time (including initial set time) of four weeks is sufficient. 7. If crack or pit develops, repair by applying a new batch of cement to damaged area. |
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