Timing confusion

21 years ago

I've read many different times for letting the form set before unmolding--from 4 hrs. to 48 hrs. Some say covered, others say uncovered. Does it make much difference?

After unmolding, then it's definitely covered for varying times (I'm going with 2 weeks), and misting daily. So after it's uncovered, should it still be misted for any length of time?

My first (successful) trough has been sitting uncovered (after being covered for about 2 weeks) and it doesn't seem to be as lightweight as I expected. Will it get lighter over time? (it's 1 part cement, 1-1/2 parts each peat and vermiculite)

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

paws4pets
21 years ago
I have done some portland & peat planters lately. Heavy while curing but as they dry out they will get lighter. I was beginning to wonder. Is your "cement" portland or a ready mixed cement? Can make a difference in the weight as the ready mixes have sand in them or some other form of aggregate.
Paws
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Original Author
21 years ago
I'm using Portland cement. Good to hear it will get lighter.
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billie_ann
21 years ago
Kim, Depending on the size, you can unmold in 24-48 hours, clean it up (wire brush,carve,etc) GENTLY THIS IS STILL FRESH, spray with water and put back in a plastic bag in the shade for a couple of days, spray water inside the bag every day. Then place in a water bath (I use a plastic muck bucket or mortar pan) to finish cure and leach out the lime for a couple more days. For most troughs you can use in a week to a week and a half. Billie
club_53
21 years ago
Kim, I've made lots of troughs using the very same recipe (only doubled). You can generally unmold within 24-48 hours; I've gotten busy and forgotten about them for several days. Anyhow, just unmold, scrape like Billieann says and put them back in the bag. I've never waterbathed them (have to give that try), but stuck them in a shady spot, and hosed them off or left them full of water and hosed them every couple of days, and they cured just fine. Seems like everyone has their own method of curing...just don't rush the cure and you'll get a good, strong trough.
clairdo2
21 years ago
I'm starting to wonder if it can really be done! I tried five times and everything crumbles. I think I will give up on hypertufa and just use cement and sand.
tufaenough
21 years ago
Hi Claire
What did you do exactly?
What was your recipe? Is your Portland cement fresh?
There are a couple of things you can do to have almost fool proof results.
Peat is probably not the problem. I have stuff that is 80% peat and it is very strong.
club_53
21 years ago
Claire:
Don't give up!! You can do this...Tufa Enough is right -- what recipe are you using? Funny thing is, too much cement messes things up instead of making them stronger. One of the great features of hypertufa is that it weighs about 1/4 of what a pure concrete planter weighs, and if you just use cement and sand, it is going to be very heavy which defeats the whole purpose.