Will you be over-wintering the hosta plant in the hypertufa pot? Did you plan on using one plant per pot?

Not to sound stupid, but what are hypertufa pots?

chris

Oh, I want to make something with hypertufa now. I googled hypertufa and hostas and it looks like hostas will grow well in hypertufa.

I wonder how heavy a large hypertufa container is?

Nice summer project with the kids.

Gesila

I made some many years ago and tried some small and minis in them. They over wintered but I didn't like the slow growth it produced. I'm not sure if it was the lime from the container or what. I replaced the hypertufa with succulants. I believe some of my hypertufas are at least 9 years old and still hanging in. Some have crumpled. I believe the hypertufa should be deep enough to give the hosta roots some room or else they may fail.

I read about the lime too. There information out on the web that tells you to not use them right away due to the lime and how to rid it, but I can't remember exactly. We're going to try some stepping stones first.

I was watching You Tube videos on it.

chris - link below to FAQ at Hypertufa Forum.

Paul

Here is a link that might be useful: Hypertufa FAQ

I made a few pots a couple of years ago, my hubby made me a mold out of Styrofoam,for a large trough,I mixed a little fiberglass in mine, I have the respite somewhere, if you are interested in the one I used, they came out really nice, I planted about 12 mini's in the larger one,and the others I planted hosta, and gave them as gifts,they did fine.
Last week end, my grandchildren and I made some Hosta Leaf castings.So much fun,do it, you will be pleased with the outcome.
cAROL

sprout - I had not decided about overwintering. Based on the information about lime, I might put them in a nursery pot inside the pot. Still thinking about that. I do mostly mixed containers. I have Hosta Red Alert (second year) in a pot now, underplanted with sedum acre. When the hosta gets large enough, I think a solo planting will be better.

Gesila - Thanks for the information. I forgot about Utube; I'll check into it. I'm making hypertufa containers because it is lighter than concrete. I think the dull ruff texture will be a nice contrast to my red ceramic containers and really show off the hosta.

cAROL - Glad to hear that someone has actually had some success. If you run across the recipe, I'd like to see it. I've thought about leaf castings of hosta leaves too. I bet they were great.

Beverly

Thanks Paul, it looks like a lot of work!

I've made at least 100 hypertufa pots of all sizes. I do have hosta in a couple of them and they seem to be fine, but they are smaller hostas. If you cure your pot and then soak it in water for a while it's supposed to leach off much of the lime.

You probably know this by now, but there is a GW forum dedicated to Hypertufa.

My own experience is that it is harder than it sounds/looks, and I am back to purchasing pots as necessary, but I really love the look and feel of hypertufa

Here is a link that might be useful: Hypertufa Forum on Garden Web

I made hypertufa rings to set in mygarden. The edges of each ring stands about 8 inches above soil level. No bottoms, just the rings. My husband cut out the molds from a heavy black plastic tapered nursery plant pot by rolling it along the blade on his table saw. One ring from the top of the pot and the second ring from the bottom of the pot so there was about a 2-3" space between the two rings where I packed in the hypertufa mix. I laid the smaller ring inside the larger one on a piece of plywood covered with heavy plastic so nothing stuck. When cured for about 6 months outside in the weather, I set rings into soil and planted them with hostas and sedums. All thrived, I think because they could grow into well draining soil rather than into a container with a bottom. Even with drain holes, I think they still accumulate too much moisture in the winter for some hostas. One could make these planters square or round. Carve a design in rim and outside when dry to green stage, about two days after molding them.

Here's a couple hypertufa from MnHS garden tours last Wednesday-

Paul

Paul, I love that cylindrical one that you seem to have raised on an iron (?) pedestal. What did you use as a form for it?

I just might have to try this hypertufa stuff yet again....

Susan

Susan - those were in a tour garden not mine. I think a cylinder shaped wastebasket would work. Hypertufa can be formed on outside or inside of the mold.

Garden host said to be sure to include drain holes besides the hole in center for post.

I have directions for a round one using an old basketball as the mold that I want to try sometime.

Link below for stands.

Paul

Here is a link that might be useful: Koopmans

Thanks Paul

The first time I tried hypertufa many years ago, I had some moderate success. The second time -- just last year -- I was probably overconfident and failed miserably. I think I tried to go to big too fast. I may try some small containers, although probably for succulents not for hostas.

Susan

Here is the respite I use,
2 parts Portland Cement
3 parts Peat Moss
3 parts Pear-lite
1 good sized handful of Fiber Agent,( I went to the city road dept, and got a small bag of Fiberglass that they use in the roads, for just a few $$,s.This helps in-force them,and makes them much lighter , if you do not want to use fiber fill, you could use plaster wall tape, in-between your first,and second layer.
I used liquid acrylic coloring ( bought at Menards Hardware Center ) my trough was big, so I used 2 cups,mixed in with the water I used.Comes in several colors, I would imagine you could re-in force with horse,dog or cat hair as well, or even straw ? I love the look when they are finished,antique looking,right off the bat, I also shaped mine, to look weathered.Have fun
Hosta's look really nice in them, I think you can rinse them in vinegar to get rid of any lime if you are worried about that..
cAROL

Oh, I forgot to mention, some people in-plant old crockery into the edges, it looks pretty, but not my style,you can also in-plant twigs, or moss.
cAROL

Thanks cAROL. I have to wait to get started. 90-100 degree high temperatures this week with thunderstorms are keeping me inside.

Beverly

Thunderstorms? Ahhhhhhhhhhh, I can only wish.
cAROL