ladycraft, I use the original recipe of equal parts portland cement, sand and peat moss. All the recipes give you different looks. I always keep some sand in the recipe.
My local "feed store" (for livestock) carries large bags of perlite and vermiculite and a masonary supply house should have them also. Billie

I found vermiculite insulation, at a local 'big store'.
I sifted and crushed the larger pieces...works great! and the price is cheap!
marcia

I live in a tourist town and we don't have "normal stores." I hadn't thought about looking in the insulation section but will. I will probably stock up on sand and peat if I can't find the bermiculite tomorrow. I want to make a bunch of rocks.

just the peat and portland won't set. You need some aggregate for that, sand, perlite or vermiculate. The peat is organic material, leaves holes in the concrete. Try small amount, maybe one cup for one part, to test your mix.

What recipe are you going to use for your rocks? I've made a few rocks out of leftover tufa mix. They look kind of strange. I've read you can just plop tufa mix in a plastic bag and make the rocks, but that doesn't seem to work for me. They should be the easiest thing to make, right?

I've been ill and in bed for 2 years--hate not being awash with hypertufa....but will soon be at it again. Made every dumb mistake you can imagine----even making a small pot directly on the patio, which my new husband then had to pry and chip off the existing cement...lol. I followed this forum with diligence. Pay attention to Billie---she really knows what she's doing, and, since this is my first time back on the forum in almost 23 months, I highly recommend the kindness and willingness of people here to help the new experimenters---I found them invaluable.

heehoo, Not to hijack this thread but welcome back. Hope to hear your "awash" soon. Billie

I still haven't found the vermiculite or perlite but I checked. Good to know that portland and peat will not set. I used l part portland and 1 1/2 each of sand and peat. Worked just fine but ran out of energy mixing so haven't got them all done yet. I used the plastic bag method. They don't look like rocks exactly but will serve my purpose. I live in MO. and there are plenty of rocks, it is just finding them and hauling. Thanks for the info. Kathy

One place to find large bags (about 3.5 ft tall) of perlite is commercial building supply places (yes, most sell to anyone). You might contact the people at the link below. Their branches are in the Pacific Northwest, but they have distributors all over the country. The last perlite I bought from them was two years ago, and I think it cost $15 per large bag, much cheaper than the small bags at nurseries.

Always remember that any biodegradable ingredient in hypertufa WILL break down and weaken the 'tufa: peat, dog food, straw, bark, etc.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Mutual Materials distributors

A word of caution to you tufa crafters that may be looking for a cheap source of vermiculite: There is a huge class action lawsuit (http://www.graceclaims.com/index.shtml) involving a manufacture of vermiculite insulation. I'm hoping that marcia7439 gets to see this because she mentioned using this insulation. I'm concerned because that insulation is reputed to contain asbestos. If you're going to be working with insulation and asbestos-related products, you might want to read the article called 'what you should know about vermiculite insulation.'

Cheers and stay healthy to garden another day!

Here is a link that might be useful: What you should know about vermiculite insulation

Thanks...
I did see an ad on TV...one of thoses attorney type messages...and I checked the insulation bag I have. It states right on the bag, "asbestos free - contains no asbestos".
I am thinking that the insulation my dad put in his home years ago, probably is the type they are now concerned about, but you are absolutely right..ALWAYS CHECK anything before you use it READ THE LABEL !
Marcia

Wouldn't a Garden Nursery Supply store have Perlite and maybe Vermiculite ?

Posieh, You would think the Garden Nusery Supply store would. I've asked at the ones here and they don't or they have for their own use and don't want to mess with me. We do have a college near here that has nursery classes and I called them and they can special order for me. I've had numerous problems and haven't gotten back to them so that will be my plan for next year.

Why not look on the internet - Googgle - both products are very light weight, you can have it shipped directly to your house. I bet you can find it on EBAY

Also - If you have a Walmart, or K Mart,or any store that sells plants - they should at least sell potting soil. They may also have small bags of perlite. I have used potting soil in place of peat. There is a little perlite already included in potting soil.

some more ideas, Mike

In Alabama I have had no problem finding perlite and vermiculite in 2cu.ft. bags for about $15 at feed and seed stores. Here is a web site that has it, but the price is a little higher. http://homeharvest.com/soilamanementsperlitevermiculite.
html

HAS ANYONE TRIED THE STYROFOAM BEADS, LIKE IN BEAN BAG CHAIRS. I HAVE FOUND A WEBSITE THAT SELLS RECYCLED STYROFOAM BEADS 2CU FT. FOR $11.

Here is a link that might be useful: FOAMERICA.COM

Overflowhank, I don't know how big the beads are but that may be a factor. Is there shipping and handling? Could be as cheap to go to a feed store or whatever you can locate in your area. The source I finally found was 2cu for $13 with a 30 mile drive but I plan it when I do other things while I'm there. Kathy

THE CHEAPEST I HAVE FOUND LOCALLY IS 2 CU FT @ $18.75, BUT THEY ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. THE FIRST PLACE WE CHECKED WITH AND PURCHASED WAS $28. FOR THE SAME SIZE BAG.

owerflownhank, I answered your other question, you CAN'T SUBSTITUTE THE PERLITE OR VERMICULATE WITH STYROFOAM. Just because all are light materials, chemically very different. The p. and v. are minerals, aggregates, they help to set the concrete. If you use sand for aggregate, you might can use some styrofoam instead the peat moss. Try it.

owerflownhank

I needed some cheap materials, and put some styrofoam thru a saw, swept up the pieces, (filled with static), and mixed it with some portland and sand. It did set up, but I used this mix to make 2 mothermolds. It worked, but the styrofoam still flakes away - 3 years later. I certainly would never use styrofoam for anything you want to look nice and last!

Just spend the extra $$$ and be safe and sure your results will be great!

Marcia

THANKS EVERYBODY! SINCE IT WAS SIMILAR IN TEXTURE AND SIZE I WAS JUST CURIOUS, AND WAS HOPING TO POSSIBLY CUT COST. I HAVE STARTED A MAJOR PROJECT WITH THE TUFA. WILL POST PICTURES WHEN I HAVE A SECTION DONE. THANKS AGAIN.