AusBonsai

Hey all. Seen as pots are so damn expensive I thought I might try my hand at a cement pot. Not sure it will be strong enough as its only a sand and cement mix? I used a cat litter tray and a some scrap wood. Tray cost 2:50 from neds. Cement cost 3 bucks for amont used and 15 cents for sand and wood mould free from scraps. Total cost = $5.65. not sure how it will go but was a bit of fun anyway. Will let it dry as its only been a couple days and then will paint with some old paint lying around. Got a choice between feric red and heritage red.

Looks pretty good, I would leave it unpainted.

Love your work sammy

Sand and cement can be very strong, what ratio did you use? also you don't want this to dry out too fast leave it in the shade for a few days. The strength of the cement will increase over time, something that I did when I made some pots, is after 48 hours to completely submerge to pot for 24 hours or more to remove any soluble salts and will also aid in the curing process.

Keep it up the next one will be even better again!

Cheers
Matt

Cheers guys. I used half cement to half sand. Will chuck it in the pool what ratio is recommended for maximum strength matty ?

you could add Paper to make papercrete to give added strength from the fibres in the paper.

google papercrete for the ratios of materials.

Ken

Drainage holes?

Just some plastic pop bottle tops placed during the cement pour should do the job.

I think using half sand/ cement mix will cause it to crack. Perhaps a 3rd cement 2/3rd sand with some bondcrete and adding some fibre like what was suggested above will work.

Sammy,

if you look up the various cement mixes, you can have strength with porosity or strength with a non-porous pot.

The fibres used are normally polypropelene [ spelling?] and we usually soak under water for 3 weeks, if not 4. Changing the water once a week,

For colour you can use cement pigment, up to I believe 10 % of the weight of the cement.

Presently testing coating the sides and inside of the pot [ like a glaze is applied ] but not underneath, as we use the porous quality to help wick away extra water, with a paint made from paraffin wax and mineral spirits. Used very sparingly and it is a water thin mix.
It can also be coloured.
The test pot is outside in the sun and weather, then something expendable will be planted in it to see if there are any problems.

Normal paint will peel and look horrible, so you may not wish to go that way.

In a non frost Tropical climate a well made concrete pot can last many, many, many years with no problems.
Best of creating.
Tambrand

Ok thanks tambrand will have a look for some fibres

Sammy 50/50 is a good mix in my opinion, as ken suggested papercrete pots are really interesting! here is a link to another thread where I made one viewtopic.php?f=29&t=18099

as per the polypropylene that Tambrand suggested work very well!! we add it to our concrete mixes at work when it is specified and its quite impressive, in my opinion there is a drawback to polypropylene, the fibres can be seen on the surface of the pot and over time will also "stand up" as the pot weathers and look like it is growing hair, but it is quite simple to remove them as they appear. but that is just my opinion and experience with it

Cheers
Matt

Thanks matty. Looked at your thread and love your pot. Have a couple questions. 1 have you potted up a plant in it yet and if so how is the pot holding up? And two does it feel solid as far as not worried about the top lip cracking off and if you scratch with your fingernail does it mark? Papercrete does sound like a good idea

After two weeks soaking in water and a couple of days to dry I have now painted my pot. Also made another pot today. They only take an hour now the mould is set up so might experiment with mixes and colours

Potted up first tree in this pot and are going to see how it goes. Have another 7 made already for winter/spring repot time

Jeez its bright!
Need a pair of sunnies.
What was the final weight of it?
be interesting to see how the trees develop over time in this one.

Ken

Wow, not gonna lose that one on your bench!! Nice job.
Did you incorporate drainage holes in the newer ones you made and what did you do about that for this one (drill it out?).
Good luck with 'em!