Linnea,

Doncha just LOVE fall weather?

Regarding the rebar thing, most concrete fabricators use the rebar for internal structure, and leave the lath for details. When you're wiring your lath to rebar, be sure to leave at least 1/2 inch space between your lath and rebar, so the concrete gets a good bond on both the rebar and lath. On your initial layer, be sure the squish your concrete/mortar into the lath so it gets through to the rebar for good strength.

Your couch looks amazing. Thanks so much for showing "in progress" photos.. I can hardly wait for the final pics.

Jo

Linnea --- That is one ambitious project! And it looks as though it will be as lighthearted to look at as it is seroius to undertake. Please do keep us informed as it progresses.

Here's a tip (for what it's worth) for maxing strength with minmum rebar:

Add some "4x4" reinforcing wire mesh on top of the lath. Tie it securely to the rebar at the top and lap it about a foot or so at the bottom over where the seat material will cover & anchor it. You are going to have quite a bit of weight pulling down on the back by the time it is done. The only ways to compensate are either by providing support to resist compression (like additional rebar running down from the tips of the "petals" to the base)...or something sturdy that can transfer the load by providing tension down the front and into the base. That's what the heavy wire mesh could help do. I doubt that the rebar framework you have now is capable of resisting gravity for very long. Remember, rebar flexes fairly easily...if you can bend it with a Hickey, what will the weight of the concrete do over time? And standard lath provides little or no structural resistance to external forces (think "stretch-wrap").

Picture a pole leaning back at an angle. If you add weight (especially near the top), it wants to fall over or break off at the ground. But if you attach a few sturdy wires to the top and anchor them securely into the ground opposite the lean...they will hold it up. Does any of this make sense?

You are obviously putting a great deal of work into this and want it to last, so I thought I'd toss my two-cents worth in.

Great looking project and I wish you all my best --- Tango

Jo, yes, September rocks! Light still good, bugs waning, flowers lasting longer.
It's a real luxury not to have to work weekends this year!

Tango, I should have taken a side view picture, most of the "petals" are actually
over the base, so their weight will be supported by it, only the bent tips projecting back.
The whole triangular space behind will be filled in to plumb.
There are loops of rebar (hard to see in the pic) cast into the base that I'm
tying the petal rims to. I do wish I'd put more of those in!
Especially on the ends,
where I'll have to bracket with more rebar. Also up into the tips.
When we poured, I didn't know about the "lily" ;o)

Yes, you're making total sense about the anchored 4x4 mesh, like a guy wire
and I will probably follow your advice, as well as bracketing more from the rear.

Thanks guys, hope to have more reassuring pics soon!