Hypertufa Amaryllis Container
A hypertufa planting container is perfect for growing your holiday amaryllis bulbs. It frees them from the plastic, no-drain-hole pots they are sold in. Bulbs planted directly in this hypertufa planting container will not become waterlogged and rot. The hypertufa breathes, keeping the plant happy and healthy while it is sporting its showstopper blossoms and continues to grow and replenish the bulbs once the blooms have faded. You can leave them in this pot until you plant it outside in your garden in spring.
WHAT YOU NEED:
A sheet of 1 ¼” insulation board
Keyhole hand saw
Coarse angled sanding block
Twenty 3” common nails
Duct tape
Vegetable oil and a brush
Rubber work gloves
Plastic pail or mixing tub
Hypertufa made with your favorite recipe.
Here is mine: https://fromthesummersgarden.blogspot.com/p/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-ja-x_10.html
Exterior latex paint for adding color accents.
WHAT YOU DO:
1. Cut four 9” x 9” squares from the sheet of insulation foam using the keyhole saw.
2. Then cut a base piece from the foam sheet measuring 11.5” square.
3. Now you will take advantage of the fact that the foam material is easy to carve. Create a striped or plaid pattern on the sides of the mold. Use the keyhole saw to cut kerf lines into one side of each of the four mold pieces. You can go in just one direction for stripes or do a cross-cut plaid pattern.
Note: A kerf is a shallow cut into the surface, probably no more than 1/8 inch deep.
4. Use the angled edge of the coarse sanding block to widen each saw kerf. This makes it easier for the hypertufa to capture the textured pattern.
5. Now join the four pieces of the mold together using 3 three-inch nails per side. Assemble the pieces in a “chasing pattern, where an end is always attached to the end of another; each piece has nails on just one side.
6. Then attach the base to one end of the mold using two nails on each side. Finish by wrapping a length of duct tape entirely around the mold for added strength.
7. Oil the inside of the mold using the brush and vegetable oil. A light coating is fine.
8. Mix up the hypertufa well to ensure the mixture is homogeneous.
Cast the mold using handfuls of hypertufa and pack each handful onto the side of the mold. Leave the bottom for last.
9. Use your gloved fingers to form a smooth, rounded top edge for the container.
10. Allow the hypertufa to cure and set for three to four days. It should be as hard as possible before you unmold the container.
To unmold, remove all nails. Gently pry the sides of the mold. Start with one edge and slowly loosen until you can wiggle the mold piece off of the cast. Be patient and do this slowly so you do not damage the kerf pattern.
11. Allow to breathe and dry for a day, and then it is ready for soil and your amaryllis bulbs.
TIP: Leave the container plain or add color using exterior latex paint to coordinate with the amaryllis blossom colors.
