Post a reply

Image
Jan 29, 2021 2:33 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sue
Bexar County, South Texas
Bee Lover Butterflies Container Gardener Dragonflies Ferns Herbs
Moon Gardener Organic Gardener Region: Texas
I have large 24" diameter 'foam' decorative planter that has cracked. I love the look of it and because it is styled in an old world style and I don't even care if the crack shows after repair.

There are so many sealants on the market that I don't know where to begin. I thought of using a cement-like substance because the crack is now pretty wide...but really have no idea. It is stable and does not appear to be in danger of further cracking.

Any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks!
On a Never Ending Quest: First to learn...then to teach.
Image
Jan 29, 2021 2:38 PM CST
Name: Big Bill
Livonia Michigan (Zone 6a)
If you need to relax, grow plants!!
Bee Lover Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Orchids Region: Michigan Hostas Growing under artificial light
Echinacea Critters Allowed Cat Lover Butterflies Birds Region: United States of America
I don't think that there is a permanent fix that would end up holding.

You can't brace it from the inside with a metal or wood bracket fastened with screws. It is foam, it would not hold. So if you seal the crack with something, it would not be able to stand up to the stress.
If you tried to empty it and glue it say, quite a few glues act like solvents and melt the foam.
Cement is not going to adhere to foam in my opinion.
Orchid lecturer, teacher and judge. Retired Wildlife Biologist. Supervisor of a nature preserve up until I retired.
Image
Jan 29, 2021 2:45 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sue
Bexar County, South Texas
Bee Lover Butterflies Container Gardener Dragonflies Ferns Herbs
Moon Gardener Organic Gardener Region: Texas
Hi @BigBill Thanks for the quick reply! The pot is already empty and I agree with you about the foam melting with many types of adhesive. I agree I'll need to check on the specifics of the glues.

I'm just hoping someone has already had this problem and found a solution that worked. Confused
On a Never Ending Quest: First to learn...then to teach.
Image
Jan 29, 2021 2:50 PM CST
Name: Bev
Salem OR (Zone 8a)
Container Gardener Foliage Fan Sempervivums Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Garden Ideas: Master Level
Any chance of a photo of the crack?
I have a 25" diameter ceramic pot that had a crack towards the bottom and was afraid of further damage. Because of weight of ceramic we had to wire the parts involved to help keep in place.
With your, what I assume lighter in weight, foam pot, maybe gluing with appropriate adhesive Is enough but if theres a widening separation then maybe a wiring job may be called for.
We had to use heavier plastic covered wire to do the job but lighter wire may be good enough for your pot
Image
Jan 29, 2021 3:09 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sue
Bexar County, South Texas
Bee Lover Butterflies Container Gardener Dragonflies Ferns Herbs
Moon Gardener Organic Gardener Region: Texas
@webesemps
I'd love to send a photo. But I have been having difficulty transferring photos from my phone. Shrug! If I have time this weekend I might be able to get out an actual camera then I could upload the sd card into my laptop.

The crack was there a couple of years ago without incident (meaning it held the soil), and when I moved here from California, I emptied the pot and moved it here too. I'd like to use it this year, and that is why I'd like to repair it now.

Wiring is definitely a possibility, and will do it becomes necessary.
On a Never Ending Quest: First to learn...then to teach.
Image
Jan 29, 2021 3:59 PM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
See you in the funny papers!
Charter ATP Member Frogs and Toads Houseplants Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Region: Maryland
Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Region: United States of America Cat Lover Birds
Sad to lose a favorite planter.
You're really fighting physics though. The pressure to crack comes from inside, so the best structure to hold that, I think, is on the outside. Where it will show, boo.
Maybe best find a cheap pot for inside to hold the dirt away from the crack.
Plant it and they will come.
Image
Jan 29, 2021 4:10 PM CST
Name: Bev
Salem OR (Zone 8a)
Container Gardener Foliage Fan Sempervivums Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Garden Ideas: Master Level
Thumb of 2021-01-29/webesemps/ad22e1
Thumb of 2021-01-29/webesemps/8a156c

Holes were drilled in both parts involved and wire was threaded through both pieces to help them stay attached
Image
Jan 29, 2021 4:14 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sue
Bexar County, South Texas
Bee Lover Butterflies Container Gardener Dragonflies Ferns Herbs
Moon Gardener Organic Gardener Region: Texas
@webesemps Bev, that is really interesting! Not at all what I was envisioning, but definitely a consideration. Since the crack is only on one side, I could turn that side away from view. Thank You!
On a Never Ending Quest: First to learn...then to teach.
Image
Jan 29, 2021 4:19 PM CST
Name: Bev
Salem OR (Zone 8a)
Container Gardener Foliage Fan Sempervivums Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Garden Ideas: Master Level
Good luck with whatever you do! Smiling
Image
Jan 29, 2021 4:34 PM CST
Name: sumire
Reno, Nevada (Zone 6a)
I have repaired pots with epoxy and wire mesh on the inside. Fill the crack with glue and brace it into shape, wipe off excess. Put mesh flush on the inside over the crack and coat with glue.

Mine was a large ceramic pot, but the concept should hold with a foam pot as long as you get a thick glue that won't melt the material.
www.sumiredesigns.com
Image
Jan 29, 2021 4:37 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Sue
Bexar County, South Texas
Bee Lover Butterflies Container Gardener Dragonflies Ferns Herbs
Moon Gardener Organic Gardener Region: Texas
@sumire
Another great idea! Thank You!
On a Never Ending Quest: First to learn...then to teach.
Only the members of the Members group may reply to this thread.
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by Murky and is called "Cardinal Climber"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.