I haven't wrapped azaleas yet because they rooted as easily as the hibiscus, the same way I rooted hibiscus. I have wrapped lilac and it callused. So far, there are still four pieces of lilac pushing new growth, but no visible roots in their pots. They're fresh and appear to be growing. I won't know for a while if it's going to work. Laurus noblis hasn't callused, but it also isn't deteriorating once planted (three weeks). I did the azalea out of curiosity, using various size and thickness cuttings. They took easily. I don't know if they flowered this year or not as I really don't have anywhere suitable to grow them except where they already grow and that's full. They were pieces which grew where I didn't want them to grow, so I tried rooting them instead of just throwing them out. They were cut in October of 2010 and rooted by spring/summer 2011. All I did for the hibiscus and azalea was to fill two gallon cans with Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Soil, firming it in very well by hand. I cut the various cuttings and stripped of all but the top leaves. I used Dip'n Grow diluted to between the 10 and 15X levels (probably about 12.5X), just because that "seemed" right, soaking the newly cut cuttings for about six seconds before jamming them into the moistened soil. Once all inserted, I watered a second time and left them in the shade of the house, north side, where they received strong, reflected light and all the rain which fell. It WAS a wet year and spring lasted until June. This year, there hasn't been any rain to speak of and "winter" hasn't happened. It's supposed to be nearly ninety here tomorrow. I gave away pots of hibiscus and azalea last year because they rooted SO easily. They were all varieties I already grow and I didn't need more.

As I said above, the definitions of burrito and enchilada are determined more by the filling than the type of tortilla, although a burrito will always use a flour tortilla. Enchiladas normally use corn tortillas, but in the north, flour tortillas are sometimes substituted. A soft taco is what you get in Mexico using soft corn tortillas - usually two per taco. The crispy fried taco is an American invention - I believe Mr. Bell of Taco Bell invented it in southern California around 1950. Since Mexican food is now becoming more common in more regions in the U.S. than it used to be, it is adapting itself to U.S. regional preferences. Also, there are great regional differences within Mexico, and Oaxacan food is very different from what you will find in the Yucatan. BTW, where did you get your chicken enchilada recipe? Lars

black beans are very good and rich but if you're looking for that original taste and look go for Peruvian beans they are way better than pintos, less gassy and have a richer flavor. All you need is a head of garlic, one full onion some salt, and you can even put a couple serranos when cooking them with boiling water and your good to go.

You're welcome sowandgrow. What you did is parallel to what I normally do, though I use foam cups which insulate the soil ball from the extremes of my old climate's heat, preventing them from cooking and drying out too quickly. You probably also used more of a traditional soil mix for drainage. I use moisture control mix due to the extreme desiccation from my conditions. You are completely correct...once properly struck, cuttings should never be "pulled up" to check for roots. That is very much like ripping the scab off a wound to check for healing. The soil needs to be firmed in securely around the callused cuttings. Roots won't form as quickly or as efficiently in too loose soil. I pack it in the cups around the cuttings so it forms a fairly well knit ball which is easily slipped from the cups intact, if I want to check for roots. I plant them deeply so their bottoms are usually within an inch of their bottoms. When they are growing well, it doesn't take long for roots to show themselves in an inch of soil. If I'm curious, it is completely safe to slip my hand over the top of the cup with the cutting between my fingers so I can hold the top of the soil in place with the palm of my hand. Using my other hand, I can slip the cup off the soil ball so I can easily see if there are any visible roots forming without disturbing them or the soil. Then, it's very easy to slip the cup back over the soil ball and put it back where it was. Once I see roots beginning to fill that bottom inch of soil, it's very easy to remove the soil ball, add the quantity of soil needed to raise the roots to the level I want them growing, replace the soil ball in the cup and begin massaging the higher soil level of the original ball to fill the cup. I try not to disturb the soil surrounding the growing roots as much as possible so I don't interrupt their development. Yes, depending upon how much soil I have added to the cup, there will be a corresponding amount of soil left over from each cup. It's easy to take that bit of soil and use it to lift the next root ball higher in its cup. Planting them deeply in the soil allows just an inch or so of the green cutting to protrude from the soil ball, reducing the surface from which the cutting can lose moisture while its roots are developing. Anything green also produces chlorophyll when temps are high enough (usually seventy-ish), helping to feed the cutting while it develops. Since I raise mine outdoors, both of these are helpful to rooting. As the optimum time for me to do it here is late winter to early spring, the sun isn't as extreme, nor are the heat and aridity. If the cups appear to be drier than I prefer, I'll water them as I do any other potted plant. I do punch four or five holes in the bottoms of the cups with a pencil for drainage. Even if a larger hole breaks out of their bottoms, the moisture control soil will usually knit together well enough to prevent its loss through the hole. When firmed in well, it's secure enough for me to use bands for the same purpose, though their straight sides makes slipping the soil balls from the bands as easy and securely as the foam cups allow. I know your conditions are quite different, but perhaps hearing what works for me, in mine, might help give you ideas of how to do what you wish in yours. I hope so! Good luck! Kim