Hypertufa

2025-05-30T01:06:18Z

2601:4C4:C17F:CF90:E0E6:FF96:40E9:B8BF: Peat moss is completely renewable, and makes up a large portion of Canada, something over 6%. It extraction is closely monitored by the Canadian government, and it is already in North America, requiring no environmentally damaging transport like most coir does.

{{Short description|Cement and light aggregate}}
[[File:4 tufe.jpg|thumb|Hypertufa planters]]'''Hypertufa''' is an [[anthropic rock]] made from various [[Aggregate (composite)|aggregates]] bonded together using [[Portland cement]].

Hypertufa is intended as a manufactured substitute for natural [[tufa]], which is a slowly [[Precipitation (chemistry)|precipitated]] [[limestone]] rock; being very [[Porosity|porous]], it is favorable for plant growth.

Hypertufa is popular for making garden ornaments, pots and land forms. It is relatively light compared with [[terracotta]] or traditional [[concrete]] and can withstand harsh winters, at least down to {{convert|-30|C|F|0}}.

Hypertufa was invented for use in [[Alpinum (garden)|alpine gardens]]. Alpine gardeners formerly used antique animal watering troughs, which became rare and expensive.

== Composition ==
[[File:Hypertufa-hand-bluefoxfarm.jpg|thumb|A hand-shaped planter made of hypertufa.]]
[[Aggregate (composite)|Aggregates]] are generally ''[[Sphagnum]]'' (peat moss), sand, and [[perlite]] or [[vermiculite]].<ref name="Calhoun">{{cite book |title=Hot Pots: Container Gardening in the Arid Southwest |first=Scott |last=Calhoun |author2=Lynn Hassler |publisher=Rio Nuevo Publishers |isbn=978-1-933855-39-4 |year=2009 |page=19}}</ref> Coconut [[coir]] is another option that can be used in place of peat moss.

To increase structural strength and longevity, [[Synthetic fiber|polymer fibers]], liquid [[Acrylic resin|acrylic]],<ref name="McGary"/> and [[fiberglass]]<ref name="Creative">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/buildinggardenor0000unse |url-access=registration |title=Building Garden Ornaments: 24 Do-It-Yourself Projects to Accent Any Setting |publisher=Creative Publishing International |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-86573-590-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/buildinggardenor0000unse/page/102 102]}}</ref> may be incorporated into the mixture, along with various grades of [[sand]], pebbles, and crushed rock which add to the final object's overall strength and stone-like appearance though they increase its weight. Powdered [[Decorative concrete#Concrete dyes|concrete dyes]] (in small amounts) also tint the hypertufa to resemble natural rock.<ref name="McGary"/>

== Example ==
An example of a hypertufa [[Mortar (masonry)|mortar]] mix (with classic proportions) is a 1:3 mix of cement-to-aggregate, given by a composition of:
*Three parts type I [[Portland cement]]
*Four parts sphagnum or coir
*Five parts perlite

Restated: Three parts cement to nine parts aggregate (by volume, not weight, very rough measure).<ref name="McGary">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aHLFIGoERqIC |first=Joyce |last=Fingerut |editor1=Mary Jane McGary |title=Rock Garden Design and Construction |publisher=Timber Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-88192-583-8 |pages=159–160}}</ref>

==Manufacture==
After water is added to the mixture, it is packed into a previously constructed [[Molding (process)|mold]], then sealed or covered in plastic and allowed to [[Curing (chemistry)|cure]]. The object may be carefully removed from its wrapping after 2–3 days for trimming and/or [[distressing]], after which it is re-wrapped for another 3–5 days, at which time it is no longer considered "green" and can be handled & worked without danger of breakage. It is then re-wrapped, moistened if necessary & left to cure for a month. The longer the cure, the stronger the hypertufa. After the hypertufa object is completely cured, it is removed from the plastic, rinsed thoroughly, and allowed to sit exposed to the elements for several more weeks to reduce its otherwise-toxic surface [[alkalinity]]. It can then be used to hold plants.<ref>{{Cite book
|title=The Complete Guide to Finishing Touches for Yards & Gardens
|last=The editors of Creative Publishing international
|edition=Illustrated
|year=2003
|page=183
|publisher=Creative
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jb8lEW1AuYoC&dq=hypertufa+alkaline&pg=PA183
|isbn=1-58923-144-9
}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Papercrete]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/make-hypertufa-pots/project#noop Video and text instructions]
*[http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/hypertufa/ Gardenweb forum discussing Hypertufa techniques]
*[http://www.drought-smart-plants.com/hypertufa.html Drought Smart Plants Hypertufa] What to plant in your finished project.

[[Category:Garden features]]
[[Category:Concrete]]

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Hypertufa