Somerset, PA on Jun 05, 2012

Just wanted to share a photo of the Fountain I made using Rhurbarb leaves.

I used 2 different size Rhubarb Leaves, but they need to be large.

You will need a large table, large pieces of plastic. Play sand I am not sure how much, but a large bag. Place the plastic bag flat on the table. Take the sand and form it making a dome. It will need to be enough for the leaf to cover. Sand should be heaved up in the center.

Place the leaf over the sand, leaf should be out to the edge of the sand. Place leaf so that you are looking at the veins. Vein side up. If you tear it you can patch with another leaf. You will notice in the center of my picture Ii have an indention in mine. You don't have to do this step but I made these as butterfly puddler's and this held the sand. If you want to do this step I used a small round plastic butterbowl, and cut a round hole in the leaf towards the top of the leaf, and pressed the bowl into the sand to form the indention. Make sure you cut the leaf to fit the bowl only, and no more.

You will need a 40 lb the bag of concrete mix. Do not use with stone in it. Mix the concrete mix, should look like thick cookie dough . Start placing on the leaf, placing and pressing as you go. Follow the pattern of the leaf. When you are done cover with plastic and allow ...»

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Photo of my water fountain, made using Rhubarb Leaves.

86 Comments Displaying 25 of 86 comments | See Previous

Marg C Middletown, NY

yes we are Leida!

on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 1
CONNIE W Somerset, PA

I have also tried the Hypertufa, I used portland cement mix to make my fountain, and have used this in many other projects for in my garden. I have not found that there is a real advantage to to additional items you have to add or to go to the expense of the extra items. Did not feel it made it any more lighter or durable. Of course I live in high wind, and very cold winter conditions and do take precautions to preserve them.

on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 2
Marg C Middletown, NY

which ingredients did you leave out Connie?

on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 0
CONNIE W Somerset, PA

Marg - I just use the Portland, mix it until it is like cookie dough.

on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 2
Marg C Middletown, NY

thanks, good to know. I do like the flexibility and lightweight-edness of the tufa though. Vermiculite is hard to find, but my son did manage to find me some :)

on Jun 09, 2012 · Like 1
Lynn B Spencer, MA

luv tis

on Jun 09, 2012 · Like 0
CONNIE W Somerset, PA

That was one of the reasons I just used the Portland. Could not find the ingredients. I am one of those let's do it right now gals, when product is not at hand I just keep on going, and make it work.

on Jun 09, 2012 · Like 2
Jan M Toledo, OR

I love the results of the hypertufa but it seems like a whole lot of work and time and I don't know about the cost of the portland cement but I know that peat is so blankety blank expensive that I think I will have to stick to my recycling projects till my ship comes in. Heheh. I really would love to try it on a small scale but I have a tendency to always jump in with both feet and do something big so come on lottery. Guess I need to buy a ticket if I want to win it. heheh

on Jun 09, 2012 · Like 0
Marg C Middletown, NY

Peat moss must be very expensive in Oregon Jan...I only pay $3 for a large brick which is sometimes too large/heavy for me to carry. How much would you be paying? Anyway, I do have all of the supplies and I want to give it a go. I read that the cure-ing time can take a while and I am the impatient sort but hopefully it will be well worth it. Think I'll take on small projects like plant pots and graduate to birdbaths and such. '')

on Jun 10, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

It could be Jan's confusing peat with peat moss. Then, she's dropped us a clue: "jump in with both feet". Jan, forget expense; you have to have a permit to build a swimming pool. 8-)

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 1
Jan M Toledo, OR

LOL, thanks Becky, Yes I think it was Peat that I was talking about and it was about $19 buck for a compressed brick about 12"x 12" way to much for me to be playing mud pies. heheh

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 1
Marg C Middletown, NY

that IS way too much!

on Jun 12, 2012 · Like 1
Sharron W Memphis, TN

I want to know how you made it water proof...usualy you have to seal cement and hypertufa or they soak up water leaving them vunerable to cracking...so even though you used acrylic paint for color did you do anything else for waterproofing?

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 0
CONNIE W Somerset, PA

Sharron - I spray them with Water Sealer. This is it's second year and still holding up. I have made puddler's and other items to hold water and they seem to hold up pretty good.

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 1
Marg C Middletown, NY

Connie, what kind of water sealer? In a spray? Can you tell me the namebrand?

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 1
CONNIE W Somerset, PA

Marg - I think it was Thompson's but I am not positive. I know I bought it a a Lowe's. I believe I used Gloss finish on these.

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 2
Jan M Toledo, OR

Just thought of something. I hear that vermiculite is hard to find. Perilite is the same thing sort of, but what I was thinking is why not use those little styrofoam beads that they use to stuff chairs and pillows and such. HUM.... I think it would work. They are small enough to mix in well but will still absorb some moisture like the vermiculite or perilite. Guess it wouldn't hurt to try a little.

on Jun 14, 2012 · Like 1
Becky H Tampa, FL

Oh Jan..........so sorry to hear vermiculite has gone up in price. I was thinking of stuffing a floor pillow with that to save money on the other. Well, there goes that idea!

on Jun 15, 2012 · Like 2
Vivian S Harper Woods, MI

Jan, if you try it, let us know how it works.

on Jun 15, 2012 · Like 1
Marg C Middletown, NY

I'm not sure that this will work Jan...styrofoam beads resemble perlite but they also powder down. hmmmm......if you use it please let us know...

on Jun 15, 2012 · Like 0
Rhonda G Lockport, NY

Vermiculite and perlite are natural substances. Vermiculite is mined and often said to be like mica where as perlite is formed from hydrated obsidian which is another mineral, a byproduct of volcanic events. Obsidian is beautiful and used often in making jewelry. I think the mines where vermiculite came from closed down for one reason or another. I'm not sure if all production stopped. If the big box stores don't have it, maybe some of the smaller mom and pops or farm stores will.

on Jun 16, 2012 · Like 0
Marg C Middletown, NY

my son ordered his online. I don't know if the site though.

on Jun 17, 2012 · Like 0
Vivian S Harper Woods, MI

Rhonda, you reminded me about the vermiculite hazard and the reason some mines were closed. Be careful with vermiculite because it has been linked to asbestos in some locations so breathing in dust from vermiculite would be dangerous. Be sure to google vermiculite and check out the issue before using it. I don't know whether all vermiculite is affected or just vermiculite from some mines.

on Jun 17, 2012 · Like 0
Marg C Middletown, NY

I just got the lessen from my son today on the Vermiculite/Asbestos issue. I've also looked it up on Wikipedia and found some great information. Here is the link. You can scroll down towards the bottom of the page and read all about it.

on Jun 17, 2012 · Like 0
Tara @ Suburble Canada

This is amazing! I love the intricacy of the leaves! Clipping it immediately! :)

on May 01, 2013 · Like 0

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