Patsi,
First I think it looks too dry, like maybe you didn't add enough water to it...and I 1. part portland to 1 part perlite, and 1 part peat? I think it's got a bit too much portland. I would have added at least 1 part fine sand.My Opinion....
Marcia

Thanks Marcia.
Can't change the mix now BUT did mist well with water.
Funny, that there are so many different opinions on the internet on "how to".
We'll see.

Hey Jersey, Pennsy here. Yep, too late to do anything about that planter. Just a few simple steps.
1) NO YOU DON'T NEED FIBERS. Do you think everyone heard me? LOL! Fibers are used to adhere mixes to spheres, doing repairs, doing large pieces/scluptures but not all the time. I know you said that you didn't but just mentioning them here starts people thinking they need or have to use them. It just adds to the cost of your project.
2) You should always cure in the SHADE not sun.
3) Stop misting, you baked it in the sun.
4) Forget that stupid test for doneness. For a small planter like this unmold in 24 hours. You want it to be a little soft so you can wire brush the outside walls. If not it will cure to a hard little rock that has the lines from the plastic imprinted and sometimes the plastic is stuck in the piece. Your's will be gritty due to the perlite and peat moss. You should always add some sand to your mix.
5) The slower it cures the stronger it will be!
6) Did you want the inner container to cave in like that. Sometimes it adds interest. If not, next time put a plastic bag filled with sand in the inner container to hold the walls up. The inner container that you used could be a problem because of the ribbing, granted you covered with plastic so it might not be a problem.
7) Quote Patsi "Funny, that there are so many different opinions on the internet on "how to". " Ever look online at how many brownie recipes are out there. Everyones got their own way of doing it from the newbies to the oldbies.
Have fun! Looking forward to your updated blog. Billie

Hey Billie,
Love to see your pictures of the entire process of making a large planter or anyone else out there.
Please share, it would be most helpful. Don't you think ?

Only mist once. Think it's fine. We'll see.

Must have misunderstood about putting it in part sun.

#6
Just used what I had...it shouldn't make a difference...planned to have thick walls.

Sorry to hear..
"Yep, too late to do anything about that planter."
Hope you're wrong !

Thanks for all your help,
Patsi

I don't think I've ever taken a set of pics from start to finish of the process. Too busy having fun making rather than taking. I did get a new camera but have been busy taking pics of my nieces and nephews, fungus and mushrooms in the woods around my house and our show cars and plants.
This is so easy I just never thought of pictures of the process. I had to run out and buy more rebar so I could take pics of how to make mushrooms for another thread and haven't had a chance to do that. Going to try to fit it in after this post cause tomorrow we're gone all day at a car show.
I've been making hypertufa planters and cement stuff since the early 1970's.

Did you unmold yet? tap, tap, tap....we're waiting. Billie

Billie,
Nice to hear you've been making planters so long.
You sound like someone who knows what you're doing.
Am I suppose to tap tap it or are you impatient ?
Did say I'd wait a week....maybe longer.
Worked with cement before but adding this other stuff to it is sorta strange to me.

Hope to get it right sooner or later.

Patsi

I think your planter will hold up fine because of the thick walls.
I agree that you may have trouble unmolding. Push, pull and cut as needed! Not too much torque on the actual pot as you may have thin areas that could break. Go ahead and unmold it. You can recover, if you want to continue the cure.
Just keep on trying and you will quickly learn the ins and outs of making containers.
How to support inner walls would make a good new thread.

If it's not too hot today I'll uncover and post.

It's DONE !!!
Same link Planter.

Thanks everyone,
Patsi

Patsi, You did it! I like your pot. Nothing is perfect. It's your very first pot and I still have the first one I made and am very proud of it. I struggle with the ins and outs of heat. We have very few days that are ideal that I'm not working. Kathy

Patsi you have given me inspiration. Thanks for taking the trouble to document your steps for all of us out here - I think our minds must work alike because you had a picture for every question I would have asked. I love the chunky gritty look and thick walls. Thank you! ~Dana

Ladycraft,
Don't think this planter will go anywhere for a long time.
I'm not good in the heat...mixing lots of cement etc. in humid 90 degree temps sure is not the best conditions.
~~
AiryDana,
This project might be a simple thing to do when you're experienced but for me......IMHO
It's like talking about how to build a house ...
talking about it is not good enough...seeing the steps (right or wrong) makes more sense...more helpful.
Glad you enjoyed.

Patsi