Would you like to give your garden a different look? The planters made of Ipertufo or Hypertufa have a rustic look, very similar to stone. Thanks to their light, dense and porous texture, they are excellent pots for small plants such as cacti, succulents and alpine plants. You can make planters and decorative objects for the garden by choosing the preferred shape. Did we make your green thumb curious? If so, read on.
Steps
Step 1. Prepare the material
Step 2. Mix three parts of peat, three parts of perlite, and two parts of Portland cement in a wheelbarrow, bucket, or other large container
Vermiculite can be used in place of perlite to obtain a more moldable compound. Perlite resists water, while vermiculite absorbs it. Vermiculite concrete will be harder than perlite concrete.
- The measurements shown are approximate.
- Remove the coarse parts from the peat for a better result.
- Wear protective gloves and avoid breathing fumes when mixing powders.
- Use a shovel or trowel to mix.
Step 3. Gradually add the water, mixing the mixture, until you get a hard and malleable consistency
-
You should be able to form a ball with the dough.
The right consistency
Step 4. Place some of the mixture in a plastic jar, in an old sink, bucket or other container
- Whatever you use as a mold, make sure it is large enough so that you can make a planter with a large internal basin, as the walls will be thick enough.
- Check that you can easily remove the planter, once finished, from the mold or shape you have decided to use. For best results the mold should be smooth and slightly inclined.
Step 5. Press the mixture carefully against the sides of the mold, leaving the inside free for the plants
All the edges of the pot, including the bottom, must be 2.5 to 5 cm thick. Proceeding with the addition of the mixture, your planter will take shape under your hands.
Step 6. Make a hole for water drainage in the bottom of the planter
You can use a finger or a rod to create the hole.
Step 7. Let the planter dry for about 7 days
It will take about 28 days for concrete to obtain absolute hardness and in any case after the initial 7 days, it will have a strength of 75-80%.
Step 8. Carefully remodel the planter
Use a wire brush to smooth the corners and eliminate imperfections and place the soil and plants inside your new planter.
Advice
- Use Portland cement [1].
- The hypertuffle is somewhat alkaline and tends to make the earth it contains alkaline as well. Choose plants suitable for living in an alkaline environment.
- Evaluate the possible consequences for the environment using peat [2].
- Try using this material to make outdoor paving plates and other decorative elements for the garden.
- You can create decorative effects by using leaves, twigs or even engraving the material with a wire brush.
- You can mix the various elements and use it when you need it. Just add the amount of water you need.
-
Image Natural tuff rock. Tuff [3] (in Latin: Tofus or Tophus) is a magmatic rock, in particular it is the most widespread of the pyroclastic rocks. Although the name "tuff" should be properly reserved for formations of volcanic origin, it is used to indicate different rocks, united by the fact that they are light, medium hard and easily workable. In particular, in some Italian regions without volcanic tuffaceous deposits, porous limestone is called tuff. Ipertufo is a mixture of Portland-type cement and other natural elements that create artifacts with an effect similar to tuff.
Warnings
- Wear gloves when mixing the cement and avoid contact with the skin. In case of contact, rinse well with water.
- Avoid inhaling dust and contact with eyes.
- If you are particularly attentive to ecology, consider what possible environmental consequences there could be using peat [4].
