Making pots for succulents

7 years ago

As my collection rapidly expands, I would love to try to make my own pots for cactus and succulents. They'll all be outdoors. Has anyone made their own pots? If I buy clay, do I need to fire the pots? I'm thinking some basic little pinch pots would be fun and unique. Any tips for a total newbie to pottery? Any other suggestions for interesting home made pots?

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Paul MI

7 years ago

Then there is the option of buying a diamond drill bit and turning interesting ceramics (bowls, mugs, what have you) into pots by drilling drainage holes in them.

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Comments (106)

Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
and planted. This is meant to have a stone look on the outside. I use just normal garden soil.
LH CO/FL
Original Author
6 years ago
I am so excited to give these a try! I can't wait!!!! I'm really anxious to try the thin molded ones too. On the lookout for two pots that will nest together so I can try that first!
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'You' (used collectively to mean 'all')can imagine multitudes of scenarios in which this or that may or may not work and then say "see - it doesn't work when this, this, and this occurs"; but the fact is, when you look at things from the perspective of what's best for the plant, what I said holds up to even the closest scrutiny. Grower convenience and what is best for the plant are usually mutually exclusive; and if you have a heavy/light watering hand - that is grower error; and while a very open soil like the gritty mix pretty much eliminates the problems created by a heavy-handed waterer, there is nothing that can eliminate the limiting effect of a lack of water, regardless of soil choice. If you know you have a heavy hand on the watering can, and even though logic dictates you should simply fix the propensity, it makes perfect sense to use a soil that doesn't hold perched water - problem solved. As we've seen, there's not much you can do about forgetting to water plants. Is it better to knowingly use a water retentive soil that limits growth and vitality to accommodate questionable watering habits, or fix the watering habits so your plants have the potential to be all they can be within the limits of other cultural factors? Soil choices vary more from grower to grower than they would from plant to plant if plants had a say in things. Virtually ALL plants crown in conventional container culture would prefer a homogeneous mix of soil ingredients that yield a soil that holds ample amounts ow air and water, but no perched water. Perched water kills, even if it provides the grower with the convenience of adding an extra day or ten to the intervals between watering. That is simply a fact. when the grower starts to use a soil that provides extended intervals between waterings compliments of that perched water 'reservoir', he is sacrificing growth/vitality on the altar of convenience. "It works for me" simply indicates someone is satisfied with the status quo - nothing more. It doesn't address the fact that there might well be something or some way that is much better. If the grower(s) I'm talking to are happy with how things are, then I'm happy too. Obviously there is concern for that soggy layer of soil at the bottom of containers that is being addressed in this thread, with ways being discussed to reduce its known limiting effects. Again - easiest and best is to eliminate the possibility it can exist. What if you want to grow a single and formal specimen in a deep container. Should it be mandatory that you under-plant everything to act as a sponge? - or would it be better to simply change how the soil is structured? I should reiterate here that when using water-retentive soils in containers, it's the shallow containers that present the larger challenge because a much higher % of soil remains totally saturated after watering. I'm not sure how the quality of water got into the picture, and I do realize that SF's water is probably the best in the nation because of where it comes from (melt from the SN mountains), but it doesn't matter if there is SF water or water from any other municipality occupying the perched water table. It's the existence of that perched water table and the soil's water retention, not the quality of the water that is at issue. FWIW - it's easy to assume that Echeveria has shallow roots (dictated by genetics) when growing in heavy soils because they need lots of air to remain viable and won't penetrate deeply into soils that lack adequate aeration. All plants that normally have shallow roots when growing in situ do so because air, water, and nutrients are found there in the most favorable ratios. Those same plants, grown in containers in a well-aerated soil will very happily occupy the entire soil mass from top to bottom. I've grown Echeveria (sempervivum, too) in deep pots & their roots colonized the entire soil mass. Roots are opportunistic, and though they don't 'seek' water/air/nutrients, they DO grow wherever those conditions are favorable. Al
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Ewwmayo do you have any books or website recommendations for someone who wants to continue learning about succulents? I agree, Rina. I've had pretty good luck at my local nurseries, except one of them doesn't label any of the plants beyond "echeveria" which bugs me a bit. I've also been lucky enough to happen on some really nice ones from Altman Plants at Home Depot. But they only look good for a few days after delivery, then they get severely etiolated. I happened upon a new shipment last week and took home the following: echeveria elegans, echeveria subsessili variegata, echeveria chalk rose, a watch chain crassula, a sedum with tiny silvery white rosettes and a beautiful echeveria imbricata, which I've been searching for for months. 6 plants for about $30! I have a problem. I'll post a picture of the imbricata tonight if I can remember. It's potted in its own pot so it can grow and hopefully produce some pups. Until then, I'll leave you with this transformation. Found a succulent labeled as a perle von nurnberg and bought it in November. The pot had a date on it of 2014! I wondered if it had potential. Trimmed some of the pups off to propagate them and ended with this in March.... Needless to say, I quickly realized that it wasn't a PVN. I'm thinking maybe graptoveria debbie?
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lisasfbay9b
6 years ago
Hee hee hee, it's Neli, not NEIL, shee, she, she. Yes we are friends now:) You rock thank you so much for sharing and for the beautiful work you do!
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Leslie, you only need one pot, and you plaster it inside. Let me show you:
rjna
6 years ago
Neli, When you say 'plaster the inside' are you using a different material than cement or is it a 'plaster like consistency' of cement? What is your recipe for the cement? Do you add anything to make it lighter weight? I'm sorry if I'm asking obvious questions or if you have already stated this information. Thanks again!
rjna
6 years ago
Neli, Unfortunately the facebook links are unavailable.
LH CO/FL
Original Author
6 years ago
Neli, thank you for showing this last picture. I guess I was imagining a much thinner, pourable consistancy of your cement, where you would need another pot inside to hold the cement up the sides. It looks like you use a thicker mix that just gets placed inside the mold and then smoothed out by hand. I am SO anxious to try this!
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Quote:
rjna

Neli, When you say 'plaster the inside' are you using a different material than cement or is it a 'plaster like consistency' of cement? What is your recipe for the cement? Do you add anything to make it lighter weight? I'm sorry if I'm asking obvious questions or if you have already stated this information. Thanks again!

I just clicked on the links and they are available and opened for me. They are on FB on a group echeveria Australia. If you find that group on FB and put cement in the search box they will come up. Maybe try to join? I am not sure why You can not access them. I use cement and sand, 2:1 normal cement. The mix needs to be hard, so it does not slide. but there is a video how I make them in the comments. Best you watch it and there is a detailed explanation.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Leslie please watch the video. It will help you a lot. It takes me 3 min to make a small pot. It is easy but you need to see how it is done.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
There are lots of explanations and tips in the link plus lots of answered questions. Just go there and you will be a pro in no time. There are several methods I have developed to make pots. The method using garden soil is not there. But you can always post on the time line there asking me to post that as well, if you are interested. They asked and I posted.
Ryan Singrossi
6 years ago
Neli do you leach your pots to prevent a build up of line or have you found it not very necessary to do so?
LH CO/FL
Original Author
6 years ago
Neli, thank you so much for your patience explaining it to us! Like others, I can't access the links to the videos, but I've requested to join the FB group, but I wonder if because I'm in the USA, they're not letting me join. If there is another way to link to the videos (are they on YouTube? or on your own FB page?) it would be great. If not, once I start experimenting, I will ask you the questions directly!
Helen Agius (Adelaide,Sth Aus) USDA Z10b
6 years ago
Neli

Wow!!!! I too am amazed, in awe and LOVE!!! this ART, and from what you've said Bonsai growing is another. I'm sure there are more too. Thankyou for the inspiration and willingness to share. I'm going to install facebook on my phone again lol.

Just a different question. I will assume that you are from Australia but not residing at the moment. In your huge collection of succulents, do you have any Australian natives? Depending on the answer I will probably ask you a few questions. Cheers ;-)
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Ryan Singrossi(9b)

Neli do you leach your pots to prevent a build up of line or have you found it not very necessary to do so?
It depends what plants you will plant in them. I have been making them for the past 30+ years and plants do well in them, but for acid loving plants I seal them inside. For succulents no need.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
let me see if I can get a link to the video only. I am from Africa and they let me in he he he.

I got the link from Utube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdXSYSMaivI&feature=youtu.be
LH CO/FL thanked Neli Stoyanova
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Pot removal:
https://youtu.be/Fbg0BgrQ718
LH CO/FL thanked Neli Stoyanova
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova Step 1 What is the mix? I use building sand. That is the sand used here for plastering the walls of houses and is very fine. Some sand which is white like the one I use for my leaf growing is too clean and a bit hard to work with, but sand with a bit o...See More

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4 · May 18 at 4:09pm · Edited Edit

Neli Stoyanova The second thing you need is a plastic container as a mold. I prefer a bit flexible ones but I have and use hard ones also so that is not a big problem. Try to select a container with shape and size which you like. I shall post bellow some of the containers I use as molds. This is one of the simplest containers you can start with>tupperware. I had put some window patty at the base to make legs he he he, but no need. That will start you off and get you used to work with cement and progress to bigger items.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
John Arena I am looking at this picture Nell, but i don't understand how the mould works to make the legs if the cement is on the inside???

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1 · May 18 at 6:08pm Remove

John Arena Its ok...I think I figured it our...the space without the putty are the legs...hahahaha...it is late here and my brain is slowing down...

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2 · May 18 at 6:10pm Remove

Neli Stoyanova yes you are correct.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova I put a smaller lid on the inside at the base of the mold and filled some areas with putty.

Like · Reply · May 18 at 6:15pm Edit

John Arena Thanks Nell...I couldn't make out the lid on the inside, but now that you mention it, I see it.

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1 · May 18 at 6:16pm Remove

John Arena How do you do the drainage holes Nell - not sure if you have already answered this?

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1 · May 18 at 6:20pm
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova No I did not answer this. Thank you for reminding me. You just poke a hole in the middle with the back of the spoon

Like · Reply · May 18 at 6:27pm Edit
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
ohn Arena Thanks Nell....easy, but some of the holes look very even. Are you using some sort of a metal cutter or just a spoon?

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1 · May 18 at 6:28pm Remove

John Arena Do you mean the handle of the spoon, or the back of the actual spoon tip?

Like · Reply · May 18 at 6:30pm Remove

Neli Stoyanova Some time something looking like a pipe, plastic pipe or the top of a plastic bottle
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
John Arena Sure, that makes sense...thanks so much for the info Nell!

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1 · May 18 at 6:31pm Remove

Neli Stoyanova Any thing sharp, even a tea spoon

Like · Reply · May 18 at 6:31pm Edit

plasticne instead)
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Christine Rosario Gonzales Macairan Hi Neli. Being from a different country, what is a window patty?

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1 · May 24 at 12:34am Remove

Neli Stoyanova When you fix a window pane you use putty (looks like clay) (you can use clay or plasticne instead)
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
an Neli Stoyanova ah i see .. for that colored pots, you mentioned adding paint instead of water.. is that right? What sort of paint, like acrylic or any paint?

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1 · May 24 at 7:07am Remove

Neli Stoyanova You need to use water based paint of much darker color than you want since when the paint mixes with the cement the color lightens. I use paint for the walls of a house, but you can also buy oxides (they are cheap) and mix them with the cement
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Oxides come in different color. Here they are like USD2 per kg. Like iron oxide copper oxide >>>from hardwares

Like · Reply · May 24 at 7:13am Edit

Neli Stoyanova But dont use any Putty just look for a nice plastic pot with hollow legs that is stackable.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
This is one of the pots I made in this plastic dish but here I used white cement and PVA paint instead of water/or mixed with water to color the cement.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova This are pots >very gough ones for planting seeds, just to give you idea of containers you can use. Now remember your cement will be on the inside, so you should be able to remove it when it is dry. If the pot has such a shape that the cement mix can not come out , you will be in trouble, To check if a pot is suitable simply get another pot ( exactly the same) and put it inside the first pot. If it comes out easily then it is suitable for cement because that is exatly how your cement pot will come out.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova There are many cheap small or large plastic garden pots which you can use as molds for this type of pot making. This is a pot made inside a plastic stackable garden pot. Se how the legs came out.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova So the next thing you need is some oil. I use old engine oil but you can use any, including cooking oil. Just put little bit in a bowl, and with a small piece of clots smear it inside your plastic container so it comes out easy. Just make sure you put very little. Not oil to be running all over the sides.

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1 · May 18 at 4:44pm Edit

Jen Sloany Just wondering if cooking oil would work please?

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1 · May 20 at 12:19am Remove

Neli Stoyanova Jen Sloany Yes it works>>any oil
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Molds for concrete pots can be very expensive. I ordered some from USA and they arrived today. It is actually molds for stepping stones, and I paid for them USD 265. But if you look at pprices of actual pot molds, they are just terribly expensive. So I use cheap 2-3 dollar pots for molds. and use them many many times

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2 · May 18 at 4:47pm Edit

Neli Stoyanova Before I take the video let me explain how I make them.
Use glaves. Cement can erode your hards. From the mix you made take a handful and squash it like pastry few times in your hand then press against the bottom side of your pot, press well especially if the pot has legs so you remove all the air bubbles. Go around the pot in a circle adding cement around 4cm high band. As you are adding it look from the top, so you see the thickness of your cement. For small pots it should be around 1cm thick, for big pots thicker. The reason you start from the bottom is that when you look from the top you are able to see the thickness of the cement. Continue adding bands of cement until you reach the top. Let it rest for 30 min. The more you work the cement the softer it becomes and starts sliding down the sides. So first make sure your cement is hard enough and second dont work it too much or it will start sliding to the bottom of the pot.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
After your pot rests for 30 min (big pots I rest longer.) Take a spoon and start shining the pot inside until it is nice and smooth. If you see some places are thinner or thicker, cut some cement off or add some. At the end get a knife and cut off all the mix sticking above the pot level with the top edge of the pot. Get your spoon again and smoothen the top while with the left hand you are supporting the cement near the top. Smoothen it again and then round the the top inside edge so your pot appears much thinner. And that is all there is to it. It takes me 3 min to make a small pot like that.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
This pot I made using the same method but I did not cut off the cement that is sticking on top. I just took a knife and pocked the edge making sure the knife is always oriented radially.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova See this big pots? I used very large garden pots as molds. See the plastic pots I used behind
https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208254167903905&set=p.10208254167903905&type=3

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2 · May 18 at 5:32pm · Edited Edit

Neli Stoyanova If you can buy plastic pots for the wall, then you can use them as molds and make this. Just put the hole for hanging them much lower since cement is not that strong if left just little bit above the hole.
https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208253697252139&set=pcb.1840700049525114&type=3
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
John Arena But how do you stop the cement sticking to the moulds Nell?

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1 · May 18 at 5:36pm Remove

Neli Stoyanova But I posted above. Did you not see it? I said apply oil on the inside of the mold, Any oil. I use old engine oil.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
And you would have to weigh down the mould that sits inside wouldn't you?

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1 · May 18 at 5:37pm Remove

Neli Stoyanova There is no mold inside. Just read all my comments above
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Laurie Naugle Neli Stoyanova Do you cover the cement/mold with plastic while drying?

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1 · May 19 at 12:16pm Remove

Neli Stoyanova no, but after they dry the next day I put some waterfor a day and I water them after I remove them for 2-3 days
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova Now this mix is little bit too soft, better use harder mix. The bigger the pot is the longer you rest the concrete and the thicker you make it,. The next day fill with water and day 3 remove from mold. Water 3 times to harden the cement.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
That is how the mold is. The mold is a plastic bonsai pot I bought in Indonesia. Manufactured in China. Go to a place where they sale bonsai from china. They come in this plastic pots. Some die so you can ask for a pot

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1 · May 20 at 7:34pm Edit

Neli Stoyanova or google plastic bonsai pot for sale. But I have many plastic garden pots with feet
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
A question Nell that you will probably answer in the video. Do you actually fill the curing pot with water 24hrs after you have made it, or do you just keep it wet with a hose?

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1 · May 19 at 3:41pm Remove

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Neli Stoyanova I fill it
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
In the movie, I didn't see, but I presume that the inside of the pot had been coated with a light smear of engine oil?

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1 · May 19 at 3:43pm Remove

John Arena I mean the inside of the mould Nell.

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1 · May 19 at 3:44pm Remove
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago

John Arena Sorry to ask so many questions Nell, but when you say water 3 times with a hose, do you mean 3 times a day for 2-3 days?

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1 · May 19 at 3:51pm Remove

Neli Stoyanova John Arena yes coated with oil

LikeShow more reactions · Reply · May 19 at 7:39pm Edit
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago

Neli Stoyanova 2-3 days so the cement cures metter

LikeShow more reactions · Reply · May 19 at 7:39pm Edit

Neli Stoyanova ones a day
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
You are correct. There is another method I use to make outside decorations. I can post that later.

LikeShow more reactions · Reply · May 20 at 7:32pm Edit

Neli Stoyanova But you can be creative. You can use some thin shapes to put on the inside of the pot so that when it is ready and dry you just remove them and print will remain.

LikeShow more reactions · Reply · May 20 at 7:44pm Edit

Neli Stoyanova Like a leaf of juniper or plastic with some design on it
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Dolores Coullie I tried to make some pots today... wow much harder than it looks, at first my mix was too soft and of course I started with the biggest plastic basin I had, all was just sliding down, so I remixed with another bit of sand and cement to get the consistency right. I then did one med basin, and some small tubs and plastic pots, got some right, some a bit wonky. I battled to get the tops right but in the end I just put some blobs of cement on the top and the big one I pocked with the knife (I saw you had a pot with a rough top in one pic) it was easier with the smaller pots. After a couple of hours I sprayed with water (!!! I got confused !!) pots immediately started to melt...yikes, fixed them up as best I could and wait for tomorrow to fill with water. Thanks Neli Stoyanova I will see how these come out and will try again. These are my small ones.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Neli Stoyanova Mine were just the same at first, so dont worry. Practice makes perfect and just start with smaller pots and few , that so many the first time he he he

LikeShow more reactions · Reply · May 22 at 3:26pm Edit

Neli Stoyanova You just need to be more patient, not make so many pots so you get impatient he he he. Just make few but finish them nicely
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Hi Neli Stoyanova, I'm still waiting to try these hopefully next week. If the weather is cold and wet should I leave them in moulds longer an wait more than 24 hours to water them? Thanks.

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1 · May 30 at 11:59pm Remove

Neli Stoyanova They harden withing few hours. If you see the cement dry just water them ones a day with a hose pipe.
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Hi Neli, thanks so much for sharing your ideas. I read in your post that you said that the moulds can be greased with engine oil, but I was wondering if this will effect the plants by the residue of the oil being left behind on the cement. Do you wash the pot in anything before planting ? Thanks.

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1 · May 31 at 3:50pm · Edited Remove

Neli Stoyanova One >oil is inert
two it is on the outside of the pot so it is not in contact with the plants
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
I tried to copy some of the comments for you but it does not allow me to post a lot at ones. So copied few of them. I forgot the videos were on Utube and not FB so the links are ab9ove in the first comment.
LH CO/FL
Original Author
6 years ago
You are AMAZING!!! Thank you so much - this was a lot of work and effort to get the videos and comments here. There is so much information that I think I can figure out how to do it. I love this -- and I absolutely adore your accent! Thank you so much!!!
Neli Stoyanova
6 years ago
Welcome Lesle. Glad to help!
LH CO/FL thanked Neli Stoyanova