I have been watching YouTube on the tufa and hypertufa on how to create them - processes and growing plants in them..

Maybe the foam containers are a better way for me to go.

I may ask Tabby for a box or two next time out toward Timberline. If I may be so bold

Michelle, that looks nice - you did a good job. Cute turtle too.

Marilyn, hypertufa isn't as hard as it may seem. Here is an article I wrote on making hypertufa pots: http://garden.org/ideas/view/g... If you want to give it a try and have any questions, let me know. Tabby is experienced with hypertufa as well.

Thanks Chris

Great info in the referred sites.... I have read the article and some of the additional threads. You make it sound easy.

I will gather the supplies and my nerve and try it soon.

Today I need to cleanup the storm damage, re-pot the waterlogged plants and I am expecting a delivery of some new semp babies today (oh my aching back) so no time to wait for molding and curing. It is good to see that others have the same questions I do.

As always everyone offers great suggestions

I could give you a box or two.

I do not have a good pic of the styrofoam planters I have made but what I do is.....

-I use cheap outdoor caulking.
-Spread it on the container like icing a cake
-Spread out gravel on a piece of paper and roll the container on the Caulking.
-Turn and do the next side.
-Finish the top rim with some caulking and more gravel.

I tested this with some gravel from a old aquarium that I was not using anymore so the gravel was free.

Cinta, I would absolutely love to see a picture of this. If you can get a good one, please post it.

Hey THANKS,

Cinta, That sounds like a great way to rough things up.... and make them look more authentic. I have thought about that a bit .. late at night .. just before dropping off .. I think about all my new plants and how I am going to care for them.

Cheryl, I will contact you when I next plan a trip out northwest. As I have these other things to do It may be a couple of weeks.

I have a couple of pieces that may work out of a new toaster packaging I bought. It has a couple of rather large holes in the bottom, which I thought I could close partially up with duct tape, then put a couple of flat rocks in there and still get good drainage. It is fairly shallow but should work filled with the normal cactus mix for my new babies. I am off to buy some paint, brown and terracotta. and maybe some caulking to try to add a bit of character.

Cheryl, I think you said to rough it up with a wire brush before painting....I also need to put feet or something don't I so it won't sit flat on the pavement?

I don't want to be just an information gatherer... I want to do some of this stuff.

Thanks again for giving me more great ideas.

I use nylon screen over the holes in the bottom to keep the dirt in - the kind for screen doors since I have plenty but I bet a piece of tulle from Joann Fabrics would work too.

Marilyn, I use a cheap wire brush used to clean grills to rough up the box. I think I paid $1 for it.

I just went looking for pots feet and found an interesting site for you creative types

How about using the hypertufa mix to make pot's feet.

http://www.dsgardenshop.com/ma...

Really cute.

This is not real good but will give you idea of what it looks like. They look like they are stone. It is easy and fast. Have lasted 8 years in my severe weather,

I need to try this.

Cinta, I'm impressed...

I may try it too.. Even as ham handed as I am I should be able to spackle a few bitty rocks in place.

I tried to buy portland cement at Lowes and they had it in 200 lb bags. Guess I won't be creating any hypertufa today.

Found the Tulle at Joanne's to put in the bottom of the foam ones I am creating. Their pots and garden stuff was on sale for 60 percent off and I saved $150 OH, and I found some itty bitty pots which I could use for the feet, if I don't find something else that will work.

Thanks for all the suggestions folks

I never tried the hypertufa because I could not lift the cement. Good luck getting help in the stores. They page the clerks for hours and no one shows up. I just left.

To get the rocks to tick you have to push down on the gravel that is why I did one side at a time.

Just spread your gravel on a piece of paper and push your container on top of the gravel. Do not skimp on your caulking make it thick.

Did another foam trough today. Planted with Semps and a fairy.

Marilyn... the lowes site says their Greenwood Village one has 94 lb bags for about $10 and a 47 lb bag for about $5.. you might check back

http://www.lowes.com/SearchCat...

Michelle.. lovely planter..lightly stressed.. and a fantastic scene you're created...

Wow Thanks for checking that... I just took their word for it..

Yes, i hope my effort turns out as nicely as Michelle, I don't have a fairy, but will try to add a bit of interest.

Thanks to all the people who are so generous with their information on this site

Although I may try to find a smaller bag somewhere. Even 45 pounds is a bit more than I can handle.
I feel older everyday.

45 pounds is as small as you will find. The Home Depot near me carries it in 45 pound bags. But that's a lot of portland!

Just got back to this thread and now I'm all enthused about getting back to my styrofoam containers. Want to try the gravel or tiny stones one. I'm sure I have a container of tiny stones somewhere amid my "stuff".

I got all the ingredients now I just need to DO IT.

Wahoo, Clint got you all started on pebble containers. Can't wait to see what all of you will come up with.