How To Make Hypertufa Troughs

A hypertufa is a man-made rock that consists of numerous aggregates that is mixed together using Portland cement. It is based from a naturally-occurring rock called tufa which can be ordinarily located from springs rich in lime. Most hypertufas are manufactured as garden decorations. Probably the most common forms of hypertufa are gardening troughs, as they are incredibly long lasting and can withstand extreme winter conditions, as opposed to concrete pots. Hypertufa troughs are also easy to construct and can be done using household items. Here's the instructions on how to create one by yourself.

The components necessary for a hypertufa trough is 1 part Portland cement, 1½ parts perlite, and 1½ parts peat moss. Additionally, you will need a mold for your trough. Pick an object that has a form that can hold plants like buckets, styrofoam ice chests, metal containers, pots, boxes and so on. Also, protect your mold with a plastic or garbage bag to ensure that it won't cling on your hypertufa mixture. Additionally, you may also use oil lubricants if your mold is made of plastic.

The first step in building your hypertufa trough is mixing the components with water. Mix it until you arrive at a firm moldable consistency. Next transfer the mixture to the mold that you have decided on. Fill up the mold to attain the ideal appearance and make sure that you leave no spots behind by compressing the mixture. If you plan to place plants in that trough, it is advisable to add drainage holes at the bottom using sticks or dowels.

After padding the mixture in your mold, you need to cover it up with a plastic bag and put it in an area where it won't be disturbed. In about 24 to 36 hours, your trough will harden enough so that you can already remove the mold. If you want, you can smoothen the top and edges using a wire brush. Then, rewrap the trough with the plastic and let it sit again for more than three weeks, occasionally moisturizing it with water from time to time. You'll know that your trough is already totally cured once it creates a hollow knock when you tap it.

As a final note, just before placing a plant in your trough, ensure that you leach it first using water for more than the next ten days or so. The freshly made trough contains a lot of lime that are unhealthy for plants and therefore it is not a good idea to use it immediately after curing it.