Hey guys, I'm liking that Elmers glue, and latex paint suggestion, cheap, and possibly just sitting in a can downstairs, IF, it's not a solid mass of dried up crap by now, paint, that is. I have had some projects that haven't cracked, BUT, some that have. I'd always heard that HYDRATION was key in having a finished project NOT crack, you know, to hydrate it long enough before taking it off and using it. I'm hoping that IF I can't use my old latex paint that is downstairs, IF it's all hard and non usable, AND, I hit up the local WM paint section, and buy some god ugly color that is REDUCED majorly, I'm HOPING that my Hypertufa project WON'T be showing streaks of the god ugly color through it. I want to make a hypertufa planter for succulents. I'm guessing the liming effect of the cement may make the paint color less likely to be bright or showy? I remember buying a small amount of "silica fume" years ago, and never using it, I wonder IF I can use that on this project OR would it be big waste of it, that I should use on a much more delicate project? Really, anyone who knows just what one would use "silica Fume" for, please tell me, I forget what I bought it for, and, if it goes bad quickly, I am sure it has been way too long to use it now. BTW, I have an OPENED BAG OF PORTLAND Cement, it's been open for a few years at least, can I still use it? I've seen cement sitting outside in a heap outside of a place that makes and sells concrete statues, surely sitting in my basement in a bag it's fine, right?

Hi ruegge. Here is my opinion and cosequently here is where I evoke the wrath of the tufa gods and blaspheme against the holy peat. My thoughts on hypertufa are well known and documented on this garden web forum. Dare I suggest you try (try, says I) to construct your project without peat moss of course I do. If your projects negative space can be filled with more than one gallon of water try something else. For weed pots, herb planter or sedum pots hypertufa seems to work really well, beyond that I have my doubts and suspicions. I believe people who post about having cracked pots are truthful; I mean who would post a message admitting to a failing if there was none. On the other hand people who say, "IÂve never had a hypertufa pot crack" well whatever. For those that do they blame everything under the sun  except the holy peat. I have been in some heated exchanges about tufa and the holy peat. My conclusion is: a bunch of folk who make hypertufa continue to promote their mantra; if it doesnÂt have peat moss, well, then, it just ainÂt hypertufa. (See Wikipedia definition at the end of this harangue.) Accordingly it is a sacred ternate that, no matter what the ingredient list at the very least the mix must contain peat moss to be hypertufa. Naturally I disagree but rather than continue a close-minded discussion I simply DONÂT make "hypertufa" I make concrete (look that up for laughs). My pieces are made using just about everything; vermiculite, perlite, sand (both fine and course), latex paint instead of water, metal filings, polystyrene beads (bean-bag beads), anything, BUT I DON"T USE PEAT MOSS! I still have failures but not near as many as I did with the holy peat. Mostly I just get too impatient and move ahead before I should. Oh, keep in mind if you want to "work" or "tool" the finish, sand will wear away files and metal tools. IMO use whatever you want to make your project a success and then call it hypertufa, hyperthreefer, or stretch it to be rueggetufa. Most importantly have fun and experiment. Hypertufa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia HYPERTUFA IS AN ANTHROPIC ROCK MADE FROM VARIOUS AGGREGATES BONDED TOGETHER USING PORTLAND CEMENT. Hypertufa is intended as a manufactured substitute for natural tufa, which is a slowly precipitated limestone rock; being very porous, it is favorable for plant growth. Hypertufa is popular for making garden ornaments, pots and land forms. Hypertufa is relatively light compared with terra cotta or concrete and can withstand harsh winters, at least down to -30 °C (-20 °F). Basic recipe Using the classic proportions for mortar (1 part cement: 3 parts aggregate) hypertufa is composed of 3 parts Portland cement - Type I 4 parts peat 5 parts perlite (3 parts cement: 9 parts aggregate)  1:3 ratio Other recipes may call for sand or gravel as aggregates, but they add unwanted weight without necessarily adding strength. To increase structural strength and longevity, synthetic reinforcing fibers (plastics, not fiberglass) and liquid acrylic may be incorporated into the mixture. Powdered mineral colors (in small amounts) tint the hypertufa to resemble natural rock. Speaking of rocks - this rock (52"l X 32"w X 20"h and hollow) has been through two seasons without a crack. Ducking sniper fire and running for cover! Robert p.s. I'm really a nice guy.

Canna pot size sounds good. When mine start a seed pod I trim it back to ~ 2" above the next leaf. Don't know if that's right, but mine continue to bloom most of the summer. They will bush out/spread in time. My dwarf canna (1 plant) got so root-bound it split it's 10" plastic pot the second year. You might try raising the sweet flag on a brick 'til it gets going, then sink it again. Yes, time and fertilizer if you haven't. Give that pickeral time, it's one of my best doers. Again you may try putting it just under the water 'til it gets going, then drop it. Mine hang out at about that 3" over the pot level and thrive. My pond only gets about 4 hours of sun/day. Don't know about the others :) But, if you're anything like me, you can't wait to have lots of lush plants...so you buy a few more...then just one more...then all of a sudden you have 3 ponds and 2 veggie filters just to hold plants and you're starting a local pond plant exchange!!!

Dee-We enjoyed having you with us this month. Updated List: Micyrey-sent-received Smitties-sent-rec Galium-sent-received Sandlapper-Rose-sent-received Squanzon NCGardengirl Candycow PrayerRock Mommyto2-received-sent Kalena67-sent-rec Poisondartfrog-sent-rec Sred98-sent-rec andrizzle-sent-received Domehome-sent-received Did I miss anyone? I just have 4 members who signed up that haven't sent. Please mail your boxes asap. We don't want this swap to run into next month. I went to the Nursery, where I use to work, yesterday. The previous owner, my old boss, is renting the place out now. The new people have the most spectacular plant material. Things you can't find at most Garden Centers. I picked up the most beautiful begonias. The flowers are yellow with orange around the edges. Also bought some Ivy Geraniums for my 3 tiered basket. I could have spent hundreds of dollars there. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Mariann