I think this one sticks around so well, in large part, because it's what the pros do. A nicely amended double or triple excavated planting pit will usually give the trees and shrubs a great environment to get established in. After the roots try to move out of the backfill and into the native, can there be problems? Sure! But hey, a typical general landscape installation is guaranteed for 90 days for turf, shrubs and groundcover and 1 year for the trees. After that, everyone's been paid so you're on your own. Amended planting pit are cheap insurance for a quick establishment for architects, designers and contractors. From that point, most people think, "Well, if it's good enough for the pros, it's good enough for me". And one little correction for Dr. Chalker-Scott's piece. She states that the ideal organic content in the soil is 5% by volume. She meant to say 5% by dry weight. (Or she actually meant to say 'by volume' in which case she would be incorrect.)

Raven, What kind of mix are you using? When I get cuttings, I typically put them in a mix with equal parts coir and perlite, or 1/3 each coir, perlite and orchid bark. I keep them pretty moist until I'm sure they're rooted. Right now, I'm rooting a purpueo-fusca that's only node was where the only leaves were, with a stem below that that's about 8" long. I cut it back to about 5" and put it in a pot and I pulled it out today and see some roots forming at the very end of the stem. It's been 16 days since I put it in the medium (which did include the orchid bark this time...) The baggie method isn't very reliable for me. I seem to nearly always get mold before I get roots. Have you tried a "rooting pot", having several cuttings in one pot? Or rooting in with already established plants? You'll find something that works for you with time. Don't be too frustrated... You'll be an old pro at this in a few years! That's not to say it'll TAKE you a few years to figure it out - I just mean YOU will be the one giving advice before long! Denise in Omaha

I love Spuria too but didn't get my orders in on time so I'll have to wait until next year. I have my hands full still needing to plant over 100 rhizomes and a half-bushel of daffodils and a few naked ladies. Hoping to do it this weekend but it's supposed to rain again. They may all end up in pots for now, such a dilemma to have. ;-)

Hello: I ended up in emergency on Sunday morning around 2:30 am due to a painful attack. I had a lovely steak and caesar salad dinner and a few martinis Saturday night around 7:30 pm. After dinner I sat down and watched a movie and had another martini and then fell asleep on the couch. I woke up around 12:30 am and thought, "Hmm, I'd love some hot buttered popcorn with parmesan cheese" and so I made it and ate it. About half an hour later, I found myself writhing in pain. I felt pain just below my sternum which radiated to my back and shoulders. I felt like I was going to vomit, I made it to the washroom only to see myself in the mirror! Pale, sweating, shaking and I thought I was going to faint. I picked up my phone and called my daughter. I live alone and lost my best friend this year on February 4th to 100% blockage of the heart but I called my daughter because I had a panic attack a few days after my friends funeral. I thought I was having a heart attack. At any rate, I called her, I guess because I needed a wake up call and kick in the ass as I never did anything when I had my panic attack. My Dr. gave me crap for this. I realized I needed to call 911. I was terrified. Emergency response stayed on the phone with me until the ambulance arrived. They had me hooked up for an ECG so quickly but I could not sit still for it. I was in that much pain. So they moved me out to the ambulance and strapped me down. Hooked me up with an IV and gave me some gravol because I kept thinking I was about to vomit. The IV medication acted immediately and my pain diminished by 90%. I was ready to get off the ambulance and go to bed but they would not let me go. By the time I arrived at the hospital 15 minutes later, I was in excruciating pain again. For the next 4 hours, I was monitored by means of blood pressure, temperature and repeated ECG's. They took blood, urine and told me I could not have anything to eat or drink until I was assessed by a Doctor. I guess because my vitals were okay, they didn't think that I was in any danger. My attacks of pain were constant with about 15 - 20 minute breaks in between. Finally, around 6:30 in the morning, I was assessed. I was told that my gallbladder didn't seem to be too happy. So, I was sent off for an ultra sound but not before I was finally given some more gravol and a very powerful pain reliever. The first thing I did was finally cry. I was relieved to find out that it was probably just my gallbladder. HUH! Anyway, long and short of it here... I don't have any gall stones per say but I do have sludge (miniscule gallstones - likely the size of grains of sand) and I have thickening of the gallbladder wall. This inflammation is what was causing the pain (worse than child birth). It was also discovered that I have a bit of a fatty liver. This is caused from chronic alcohol abuse. I probably indulge too much, particularly over the last two months - a sad way of dealing with grief. I eat pretty healthy most of the time but I probably eat too much and when I treat myself, I treat myself. Vodka and red wine - bad. I am here to tell you, since my girlfriend passed away, I have probably not taken very good care of myself. I noticed that I was having these strange feelings (uncomfortable feelings) of being excessively full after eating - even if I ate a light snack. This fullness feeling also caused me to feel out of breath when walking to work or using the stairs. Sometimes I'd wake up feeling like I had indigestion or heart burn. All of this actually, was the build up to my inevitable gallbladder attack. Change in lifestyle is the number one thing that will help me deal with this now. I still have one more test to go through to determine whether or not the flap of my duct is operating correctly but I intend on doing all that I can to not experience this again. Do your research, learn all you can about this and if you ever experience the kind of pain, get yourself to emergency. Gallbladders can burst, get infected or inflamed. At any rate, medical attention is necessary in order to determine what the problem is. I wish you luck - don't fool around with your health. Eating french fries and onion rings is contributing to the problem (gallbladder problems can take years to develop) - read up on what fatty foods do to the gallbladder (cholesterol and bile are a bad combination). Loose stools after eating salad is an indication that your digestive system is out of wack. Gallbladder produces bile (when it's healthy) bile is what helps break down fatty foods which aids in digestion. Anyway, enough - take care of yourself.