Typically I will not cure my Hypertufa for the full 28days. ( I just cant wait that long!) Tufa should be damp the entire time while curing. Not sure if it would cure while it is planted. I guess if you watered everyday! Here is what I do and I am sure there will be others that have different techniques. After I unmold and rough up the sides with a wire brush, I hose down the pot and place in a garbage bag , twist the end of bag. I leave it in the bag for about 2 weeks, unless it is a larger trough and I may leave it in the bag longer. I check the bag regularly and wet the Hypertufa as needed. After about 2 weeks I will place the pot in a wheelbarrow full of water to leach out whatever is in the cement. When the water is clear, I remove and plant. I think that any variation of this will work fine. What you don't want to do is remove from the mold and allow to dry --- No curing. You will increase you chances of cracking.

If you are making larger pots - 36" plus, I would allow to cure as long as possible - for me it would be about 3 weeks. Its all about trial and error. The more you make the more you learn! Mike

one of my pots

Your pot is stunning...love the simplicity of form with the different colors and all of the texture. My kids are rightly calling my pots "dirt bowls" but I tell myself I'm working on process now and I'll get to artistry soon!

Thank you so much for writing back with specifics. I've made it to almost 3 weeks with my first two bowls so I'm soaking them now and plant shopping today. Crossing fingers that it all continues to go well!