faux pottery/planters???

[Lee]

long time ago i saw a tv program showing how to make pottery/planters from paper mache and cement and something else and it showed that this was often used in England and that it was water proof and would last for years. i can't remember what it was called nor what all was involved. anyone have information and how to make this? i am in the midst of a project that might have a purpose for this type of material. i think it may be something like faux rock but not as involved. i could have sworn i d the recipe in this computer but can't find it! appreciate any info. lee h

[jim]

[Lee]

Thank you sooooo much, jim! that does ring a bell! I think i am in the early stages of ...i forget what you call it.. :) but have problems quite frequently with short term memory! i'm off to google search. thanks again lee h

[David Hill]

I should think they made the shape from Pepier mache then covered with Hypertufa, then when set hard soaked the papier mache to remove it. If it's a large pot/planter you can incorporate some wire netting into the hypertufa to give added strength

[SaintDan]

You can also use cardboard boxes as forms - putting a smaller one inside a larger one and pouring the cement in between. I have seen some pretty good examples in some container gardening books - YES... the wire netting is a great idea.

Dan

[Lee]

Thanks Jim, David and Dan... woW! i did do the google seach and found more information than i could handle! lol! for some reason i thought it could be molded by hand like clay rather than like cement that has to be poured like in a form. i did some checking at all the plant places and came up with something that really looks nice without any lifting and pouring and molding.

i had already, several years back, created three cement basins 16 inches in diameter by 3.5 inches deep with concaved top to hold water and two of them with lips for the water to pour over. bought one 13.5 tall by 14" diameter opening for reservoi (overall is 16 dia) and a

3.5 " x 14" dia tray to go on top of it,; cut a hole in the tray so the basin without the lip can sit on it and water go back into it. cut a hole near the top of the reservoi to insert the pump hose and electric line.

got two 11 x 11 dia pots, (overall 12" dia) one upside down and other up right on top of it then a 3.5 x 11 dia tray to put upside down on top of that then put the basin with a lip on top of that aranged to overflow into the reservoi basin.

got 2 more of these 11 inch pots with two of the 3.5 x 11 dia trays ,one upside down on the top of the stack, the other up right on top of that then the basin with a lip and a hole to put the pump hose through and arranged it to overflow into the second stack basin. these had to have holes in them to put the hose through and also to come out and into the reservoi. used a drill like is used to drill a door knob hole.

the pots are sculptured, some type of really pretty plastic or something that is quite strong but saws like wood, and a lovely soft shade of terracotta which goes well with my deck. the three columns are arranged in a triangle and really look nice.

i just got tired of looking at some of the monstrocities that are created from cement and wanted something different. some of the concretes are beautiful, but the ones i would die for were too expensive for me to live for! lol.

i will take one of the larger matching pots and plant a holly tree or something to place near by for the critters to take refuge in case the hawks threatens them. there are at least two big hawks in our area....they have to eat, too, so we don't intervene, but the little ones should have a bit of a safety net.

it's been raining and haven't been able to get out and put the elements all together on the deck, but have had them together in the kitchen an pleased with them. can't wait to finish the project. lee h