Hypertufa Bowl

Last week I made a hypertufa planter using an old fruit basket as my mold. In this post I'll show another way to make them. For more information and instructions on making the mix see that post.
I'm not a good judge when it comes to the amounts of cement, peat moss etc. needed for each planter so I just make sure I have plenty and use the leftovers to create a smaller container or a leaf cast.
This time I way over guessed what I needed and still had a lot left.
 I quickly grabbed an enamel pan and piece of plastic and made a bowl.

You have the option of making it on the inside for a smaller bowl, but I had so much mix leftover I opted to make a larger bowl and made it on the outside.

I put my plastic over the bowl.....

and start covering my bowl with the mix.

Press and pat and check the thickness with a marked dowel keeping the thickness around 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches. Make sure you keep the top as flat and level as possible because that will be the bottom of your bowl.

I experimented pressing some Fern Fronds into the completed bowl for a textured look.
Cover with plastic and let it dry 36-48 hours.

After it's dried the recommended time, remove the bowl and plastic very carefully. They are very fragile at this point. I broke the first one I ever made because I was so anxious to see it, I removed it from the mold too soon.

I love the look the Fern Fronds add to the bowl.

Overall, I was pretty pleased with how it turned out. Now I will let this cure until next spring. It's good to mist them occasionally.

This is another option to use up your leftover mix. Make a leaf casting using a large leaf such as an elephant ear, rhubarb or hosta leaf. I love when rain water collects in them but hypertufa is porous so it doesn't hold water long. I spray painted this one which helps hold the water, but a sealer of some sort would probably work better.

Linking to Stonegable