Going to try making a floating Island out of blue foam, wire mesh and hypertufa using vermiculite
First one will be square as that is all of the foam I have and it will be easier to try.
Photo shows a piece of foam that was left over from a pot I made.
Wrapped the wire across the bottom and up over the sides to hold the soil and the cement.
OK now i just finished decorating the cake. LOL
Cement is in place and sprinkled with dye.
Will let it dry and tomorrow I will wire brush it.
Spread the cement thin just enough to cover the wire mesh.
Hope this thing will float. LOL
Hey TA I hope it floats too....looks like would!.... can't wait for the big test....
That color pigment really does look like chocolate!
Great idea! Can't wait to see a picture of it planted and floating!
Well it floats.
Jeez TA great work! Can't wait to see it planted...... Whatcha goin to put in it?
Where is it going to float?
Just planted it and it still floats. LOL
Used kitty litter. Don't know what the names of the plants are.
Iris, Elephant ear and something
Loaded it down to see if it would submarine.
Too much blue tint in above photo.
Floating in my pond.
Still too much blue.
Now to buy a sheet of 2 inch foam and try getting a little more fancy.
TA this is great and thanks for trying it and sharing it! The posibilities for shape and size are almost endless with this!
This message was edited Mar 28, 2007 6:02 PM
That turned out pretty cool!
That's great - nice job!
That's super!
That looks great! Everytime I get on here, I end up with another project. I still havent finished the others yet, but I need a floaty thing for my pond. I saw the mesh wire you had on the bottom but did you line the bottom with anything else before you put in the soil? (did you use straight kitty litter?) Will stuff grow in that? Great job!
chris
I lined the inside of it with a piece of fiberglass window screen.
For water plants the litter has all you need.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/p.php?pid=3211834
This message was edited Mar 31, 2007 6:42 PM
excellent, thanks for the link.
chris
Now that might just be the thing to allow me to grow plants that the koi don't bother. What do the rest of you think?
my thought exactly. gotta try it.
chris
OK TAR...... I haven't seen hide nor hair of ya since you accomplished this........not even on the Hypertufa forum.
Are you into manufacturing now? lol!
Just wondering how the new floating pot was doing now and if you have done any more designs.
My LA Irises in my homemade foam floating pots have started to bloom now. Several about to open...will see if I can get my hands on a camera and make a thread with pics.
Michelle:)
Michelle I have switched to spring and all my time is into weeding and mulch. LOL
My Irises is blooming that I planted in it and the KOI are not able to have lunch.
Once I get a chance to clear out my greenhouse and the heat sets in I will make another one that looks like rock.
Big project now is building a checker board drive way out of 3 X 3 ft concrete blocks. Got a load of sand in today to start. They will be acid stained and sealed. 25 X 75 foot of space to cover.
OK, just was wonderin what became of ya.....I forget living here in Fl ........the land with out seasons.......that you northerners definately have alot more work to do than we at certain times of the year.. take care, and if you have the time I would love to see the pics of your Irises in the new floating pot!
I feel certain when the time is right you will post pics somewhere around here of the new drive when its finished?...sounds cool!
Our water garden club showed styrofoam painted with spray on bedliner, it is less toxic than cement and it stays on. Our president planted a cooler lid with spagnum moss and fern or pitcher plant. Poke a few holes for water and there you go, the fish don't eat it and it provides coverage.
Sounds interesting, but not sure I understand...could you give a few more details because I am creatively challanged.
Thanks,
chris
GRRRR I had this all written out and for some reason my computer said I wasn't connected. Technology, don't you love it.
I will try again.
Get a styrofoam cooler lid, get spray on bedliner from the auto supply store or maybe WM, I haven't looked there so I don't know if WM carries it. Spray the styrofoam lid both sides, let dry. After it is dry, poke a couple of small to medium size holes and put spagnum moss or dirt on the inside of lid, plant your plants in the lid & float it in your pond. You can also use the bottom of a cooler if you cut it down to about 3-4" tall.
I have also seen a cooler lid painted the same as above only cut a hole all the way through and set a pot in it, preferably a water loving plant. I may try some trailing flowers that are fish safe this summer.
These "floating planters" look pretty when the flowers get established and they provide shade for your pond. The spray on bedliner is also not toxic as concrete is.
Wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to show the process!
