| Gardening - Hypertufa Troughs |
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| Index: |
| Hypertufa Recipes |
SAFETY: Rubber or Work gloves, Goggles and a Breathing Mask are critical. The dust from the
cement contains lime which is harmful to eyes, skin, and should not be inhaled.
cement contains lime which is harmful to eyes, skin, and should not be inhaled.
MIXING: The two most important things to remember when mixing are:
1) When mixing concrete or Hypertufa, first, thoroughly mix your dry ingredients. Keep
mixing for several minutes until EVERYTHING is very thoroughly mixed. Get into the
corners and all over the bottom of your mixing container being sure to get all dry
ingredients. When the dry mixture is thoroughly combined, measure your liquid and add
1/2 of it to the dry. Begin mixing. It will be very lumpy and difficult to mix, but keep at
it. After everything is evenly moistened, add 1/4 of the remaining liquid. Work it in until
the mixture is evenly moistened. Check those corners and hiding places again, feeling for
lumps and make sure they are thoroughly combined into the mixture. Continue adding
liquid in small amounts, mixing after each addition, until the mix is the consistency
desired for your project. When in doubt, err on the dry side.
mixing for several minutes until EVERYTHING is very thoroughly mixed. Get into the
corners and all over the bottom of your mixing container being sure to get all dry
ingredients. When the dry mixture is thoroughly combined, measure your liquid and add
1/2 of it to the dry. Begin mixing. It will be very lumpy and difficult to mix, but keep at
it. After everything is evenly moistened, add 1/4 of the remaining liquid. Work it in until
the mixture is evenly moistened. Check those corners and hiding places again, feeling for
lumps and make sure they are thoroughly combined into the mixture. Continue adding
liquid in small amounts, mixing after each addition, until the mix is the consistency
desired for your project. When in doubt, err on the dry side.
2) Always sift the peat moss to remove any large lumps. These lumps will NOT dissolve
and during the curing process will fall out leaving large voids in your trough.
and during the curing process will fall out leaving large voids in your trough.
| Recipes |
There are numerous recipes! The heavier your ingredients are, the heavier your final
project will be. When reading a recipe for concrete or Hypertufa, cement should be the
first ingredient listed, e.g.; 1:1:1:1 for a Hypertufa mix would look something like this: 1
part (cement), 1 part (peat), 1 part (perlite), 1 part (sand). In general, most recipes have
a 1:3 ratio. They can be as diluted as a 1:7 ratio, although we would not recommend this,
and can be as rich as a 1:1 ratio, depending upon the application.
project will be. When reading a recipe for concrete or Hypertufa, cement should be the
first ingredient listed, e.g.; 1:1:1:1 for a Hypertufa mix would look something like this: 1
part (cement), 1 part (peat), 1 part (perlite), 1 part (sand). In general, most recipes have
a 1:3 ratio. They can be as diluted as a 1:7 ratio, although we would not recommend this,
and can be as rich as a 1:1 ratio, depending upon the application.
To clarify and to prevent the purchase of an unwanted ingredient because the name was
misunderstood, remember the following: Portland cement is NOT concrete – it is an
ingredient of concrete. Concrete, loosely defined, is mortar with gravel aggregate added.
When in doubt, read the ingredients listed on the label.
misunderstood, remember the following: Portland cement is NOT concrete – it is an
ingredient of concrete. Concrete, loosely defined, is mortar with gravel aggregate added.
When in doubt, read the ingredients listed on the label.
Recipe #1 (1:1½:1½) (This first recipe is the most common.)
1 part Portland cement
1½ part peat
1½ part perlite
This recipe allows you to carve fairly soon while the form is still "green" (not dry and
certainly not cured). It is recommended that you use grey Portland cement, however, you
can use white if you wish. The grey will turn out looking like granite, provided the perlite
used is small to medium grade.
certainly not cured). It is recommended that you use grey Portland cement, however, you
can use white if you wish. The grey will turn out looking like granite, provided the perlite
used is small to medium grade.
Recipe #2 (1:1½:1½)
1 part Portland cement
1½ part peat
1½ part vermiculite
Nice fawn coloring without adding any colorant. Vermiculite adds a sparkle. Still very easy
to carve, this mix is heavier, as vermiculite is denser, so a part will weigh more.
to carve, this mix is heavier, as vermiculite is denser, so a part will weigh more.
Recipe #3 (1:1:1:1)
1 part Portland cement
1 part peat
1 part perlite or vermiculite
1 part sand
Much more durable; heavier, yet still lighter than concrete. This will be lighter in color
than any of the above, dependent on what type sand is used.
than any of the above, dependent on what type sand is used.
Recipe #4
2 containers Portland cement
2 containers perlite
1½ containers peat moss
½ container coarse sand
1 large handful fibermesh
1½ – 2 containers water
Recipe #5 - for Hypertufa using a pre-mixed sand mix
The use of a pre-mix allows the beginner an opportunity to try Hypertufa without a large
investment in materials. Portland cement comes in 94 lb bags. Quikrete, a concrete
product manufacturer, does sell a smaller bag of Portland cement, but few stores carry
it. Some home improvement stores carry small bags of pre-mixed concrete such as sand
mix, mortar mix, high-strength concrete mix, etc.
investment in materials. Portland cement comes in 94 lb bags. Quikrete, a concrete
product manufacturer, does sell a smaller bag of Portland cement, but few stores carry
it. Some home improvement stores carry small bags of pre-mixed concrete such as sand
mix, mortar mix, high-strength concrete mix, etc.
Once home with the bag put the mix (still inside the bag) into a heavy hefty bag and push
it around a bit. Mixes do tend to settle and you want the ingredients evenly distributed.
Then take the pre-mix bag out of the hefty, and follow the directions below.
it around a bit. Mixes do tend to settle and you want the ingredients evenly distributed.
Then take the pre-mix bag out of the hefty, and follow the directions below.
Recipe #6
1 part pre-mixed sand mix
1 part peat moss
1 part perlite or vermiculite
Mix the dry ingredients first, slowly add water so that you can gently squish the mush
with little water coming out. Now add a little bit more water and walk away for about 10
minutes. Check your mold set up or think about your next project. Then, back to the mix.
Check it with your hands (of course they are gloved!) and add a bit more water, if needed.
with little water coming out. Now add a little bit more water and walk away for about 10
minutes. Check your mold set up or think about your next project. Then, back to the mix.
Check it with your hands (of course they are gloved!) and add a bit more water, if needed.
