HEART-SHAPED SUCCULENT CONTAINER

HEART-SHAPED SUCCULENT CONTAINER  

 This tray-type container is easy to make to showcase your favorite succulents.  It so simple you can make it in less than an hour from hypertufa. 

WHAT YOU NEED:

Plastic-covered work surface

Damp all-purpose sand

Mud gloves

Your favorite hypertufa recipe (I like this one: http://fromthesummersgarden.blogspot.mx/p/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-ja-x_10.html)

Plastic mixing bucket

Trowel

A stick and a brick

WHAT YOU DO:

You can make thIs project inside on a plastic-covered work surface with a pile of damp sand or right out in the garden using soil as long as the temperature is not freezing.

1.  Form the sand or the soil into a large heart shape and round off the edges so the pile resembles a heart pillow- higher in the center sloping lower as it reaches the edges. Be sure that your sand or soil is damp enough to firmly hold your shaping efforts.

2.  Mix up a batch of hypertufa, to a dense clay-like consistency. Sprinkle loose but thick 2-inch layer of hypertufa over the surface of the heart.  Then begin firmly press the material together patting into a smooth heart shape.

TIP:  Do not allow the hypertufa to extend outward horizontally from the edge of the mold.  If it does spread out, it will not hurt your container but it will detract from a nice trim heart shape.

3.  Use a stick or your finger to poke two to three drainage holes in the upper area of the hump.  Then, firm the outer edge using the edge of the container using a trowel or a brick.  This will give the edge a nice even finish.

4.  Allow the hypertufa to rest for three to four days until it is cured and vary hard.  Then using a trowel or small shovel, gently pry an edge upward to lift the container off of the mold.  Be very careful with this step as the container is still “green” and not at full strength.  Carefully clean out loose sand or dirt and allow the container to sit for a week.

5.  Fill with growing medium and pot up your favorite succulents.

At From the Summer’s Garden, we have been busy making some cool new strawberry pots from hypertufa.  Join us for Strawberry Garden Time, our Spring Garden Studio Sale.  Open 10-5 every  Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May starting with the last weekend in April.  We will also be a part of the 2018 KC Symphony Designer’s Showhouse  opening mid-April.  More infor coming soon!