fiDrapedHypertufa-Gardener

Video: Making the Draped Hypertufa Planter! So Easy!

Anyone can make these easy hypertufa planters or vases.

It takes just a short time, but as I have mentioned before, it is REALLY messy. And I am not kidding. The cement slurry gets all over the place. Globs drop off and then it also runs a little as it is drying. So be prepared for a mess.

Wait. Maybe it’s just me and I am a mess-maker! Could be.

Draped Hypertufa garden planter

Here is my recipe that I made for the slurry for this video : I had a lot left over. Did 15 large napkins.

  • 8 quarts Portland cement and the 1 extra cup
  • 2 quarts vermiculite (fine)
  • 2 quarts peat moss well sifted
  • water to mix to the right consistency
  • cloth scraps (old towel, napkin, washcloth, any fabric)
  • your “tower” you will drape it over, needs to be high enough to allow the tips to “dangle
  • plastic to cover this “tower” so that the cement won’t stick to it
  • plastic to cover your finished piece overnight

I filmed this short video so that you could more easily see what needs to be done. I like the more lumpy texture I get with the added peat moss and vermiculite, but you may not like that. But since I make mine “hypertufa-style”, that is my method. I like it to look like tree bark.

How to Make Draped Hypertufa Planters - Part 1
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I will prep another short video about any further layering your draped hypertufa if you think yours needs it. I am satisfied with mine as it is, but I may stain it with a wood color. I use deck stain meant for wood to paint this cement container or draped hypertufa. I don’t like stain meant for concrete at all.

So try this if you like it. Paint them any color you want! Teal with pink and chartreuse flowers. How about some deep purple cascading petunias on a pedestal!  Any color you want to co-ordinate.

Let me see some pictures on Facebook. Or here. Talk to you again with more ideas.

SEE THE UPDATED POST JULY 25,2014 http://www.thehypertufagardener.com/revisit-draped-hypertufa-planter/

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17 Comments

  1. Now that we can’t use peat what do you use as a substitute?

    1. You can try soil if that works for you.

  2. Kathy Ziegenmier says:

    I am the proud owner of a beautiful draped pot that I bought last summer. Now I want to make some of my own. The questions that I have are as follows:

    What do you use to sift the peat moss?

    What is that tool you were using to “rake” the slurry?

    Also where do you get plasic sheeting like that? I was just going to use a plastic trash bag.

    How long do you need to let it cure before painting or staining?

    Lastly (for right now) is there any difference in the look or strength if you use perlite vs. vermiculite? Thank you!!

    1. Kathy, congrats, and go ahead and make some. I sifted the peat moss with a small box form as I show on the Procedure page. When raking the slurry, most of the time I use a small short garden hoe. The sheeting is only a cheap tablecloth from the dollar store ( the colorful ones) or those clear ones are just painter’s drop cloth cut to fit the mold. Very cheap. I let it cure for a day or two before I paint it, if I plan to paint it. And I don’t see any different in strength from perlite or vemiculite. I use either and get a white flecks or brown flecks.

      1. Kathy Ziegenmier says:

        Box form for sifting peat moss? I’m sorry there are so many links on your website that I’m not sure which page this is on? Is this box form somthing you make or buy?

        1. Kathy Ziegenmier says:

          I found the procedures page but didn’t see any mention of the box form for sifting? I also checked under supplies. Sorry if i’m being a pest:-)

          1. No, it is not a problem at all. I looked quickly and I couldn’t find anything. It must be in a video and I don’t know where to find it right now. But I will put a photo on Facebook. I hurried and took a picture and labeled it. I hope it helps.

            1. Kathy Ziegenmier says:

              Yes I saw that and was a big help. Thanks so much. I think we have everything here to make it too.

              1. Great, and I will try and get some of this into the regular procedure page.

  3. Kim, I made my first batch of draped hypertufa! Your instructions were very helpful. They came out beautiful. I only had difficulty removing them from the “tower”. I used paint cans. I did use a plastic liner. It was like they clinged at the base. Do you ever experience this? Wow, what a workout removing the last can.

    1. I am so glad you made some. And thanks. I had so much difficulty with one of my pots (getting it off the tower) but that has been the best one. I think it set up really “hard” and that made it the best. It is a very strong one.

  4. Nan Buytendag says:

    Hi i need to know is it 3 cup off cement or half bag

    1. Kim Smith says:

      I used 8 quarts of Portland cement plus 1 extra cup in this video. But I was making about 15 planters and had a lot left over. So you may need to adjust your recipe accordingly. If this is your first one, and it is small or medium sized, you may need only one quarter of what I used. Just start small and work up from there depending on how your first effort went. I would be glad to help with more questions, ok?

  5. I wish you would say how much water.

    1. The water just depends on your amount of dry ingredients you are working with and the humidity in the air and how hydrated your peat moss is. Start with 1 of the parts you are using, and carefully add from there. Hope that helps.

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