CULT:Hypertufa recipe
I'm sending a duplicate of this message for the benefit of the Mallorn archives. Thankyou for this recipe, and for those who might want to find it in the future (including me), it will be easier to find it by searching for 'hypertufa' than by searching for 'hypertuba'. (Which reminds me of that long thread on 'spageagers' some time back.)
> >Hypertufa is a light-weight concrete 'artificial stone' with peat
> >(or other light weight material) substituted for the gravel used in
> >conventional concrete - formulas vary but a typical formula is:
>
> > 1-2 parts sharp sand
> > 2 parts peat moss
> > 1 part portland cement
>
> >mix sand, peat, and cement thoroughly (NO lumps!). Gradually add
> >water to dampen - mixture should be just damp enough to stick
> >together when squeezed *without* dripping any water. Press
> >*firmly* into form. Allow minimum of 24-48 hours before removing
> >form and at least two weeks curing time *without* drying out.
> >Perlite may be used in place of half the sand to reduce weight but
> >finish will be less stone-like.
>
> Okay, starting to get the idea.... But now for this RECIPE... What
> the HECK is SHARP sand and PORTLAND cement?!?!?
>
Sharp sand:
I don't know why they call it "sharp" but it's also called "builder's"
sand - it's just *clean* sand suitable form concrete (no salt or other
contaminants)
Portland cement:
Nothing to do with Oregon or Maine (the name seems to be derived from
"portland stone", a limestone quarried near Portland, England), it's just
the cement used to make concrete
A couple of good hypertufa webb sites are:
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/alpines/trough%20garden.htm
http://www.backyardgardener.com/tufa.html
> I only know Play sand & don't have time to go to Oregon for cement.
> Please advise. Is it really good for iris?
>
I haven't personally tried iris in hypertufa but wouldn't expect any
problems except maybe with bulb iris that don't like lime or with
water-loving species that like less drainage
._,
C(O-O)@ Sholem aleichem laird.kelly@juno.com
--o00-(_)-00o--------------------------------------------------
WSU Master Gardener *Team AMiGA* FIDO 1:138/258, 1:18/140
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