Question
Hi Laura

I've asked you questions before and your responses were very helpful, thank you.

I was recently given cuttings from a Madavilla Vine and a Purple Passion Flower.  Right now I've just got them in water to root.  Is that the correct thing to do or should I be using rooting compound and potting them up?

Also, would you happen to know how I can find out what "Zone" I live in?  

Thank you
Wendy

Answer
Wendy,
What is your location? (City and State). If you are wanted to try and pot up the Mandevilla and just bring it inside it may be fine until next spring when you set it out again..If it is too large in the ground to dig up,then taking a cutting 2 ways will help your chances of surviving. The first is what you have already done.Putting a stem in water,but dipping it in a rooting compund like Rootone(brand name)first will help.It will root faster.And put in under a light source or bright window.Make sure your container is clear.(Vase,glass or whatever.)

Also,another method is to take a stem cutting,dip it in a rooting powder(Rootone)and stick it in fresh potting soil in a little or medium sized plastic pot.Plastic holds it's moisture better than clay pots.Do not over water.Just keep it evenly moist.Let the soil dry out before watering it again.
If you are really lucky and live anywhere below Georgia in the South or as far west as Nevada or California,just leave it in a sheltered location out of the wind and keep it watered,if it is in a pot.Or heck,I don't know anything about that warm of temps,you might not have to take any action at all.Could you be so lucky?HA!

I am not familiar with the Purple Passion Flower.I am in zone 6, Western Ky. Very unpreditable weather area.I am assuming it is a tropical,like the Mandevilla. Here are some Tropical plant sites to check on:
www.blackjungle.com,wwwpctgardens.com(Pacific Tropical Gardens),hawaiin-tropical-flowers.com,www.flowerfarmstogo.com
US.price-paradise.com
Hope this is helpful info for you.If you have any more questions,just ask!

Wendy,
So sorry for the terrible Tropical Plant sites.Just now checked them out and they suck! Let me get you some more.In the meantime stick with my favs:
www.wildflower2.org
www.perennials.com
www.musserforests.com
www.bestratedsites.com/Products/1016
White Flower Farm
Wayside Gardens
Van Bourgondien(bulbs.few perennials)
Van Dycks(bulbs,few perennials)
Burpee seed Co.
Jung seed Co.
Sheperds Garden Seeds
Shady Oaks Nursery(lots of hosta and ornamental grasses)

Here are some tropical plant sites that may be helpful to you:
www.plant-care.com
www.rareflora.com(Gandino
Nursery Corp)
www.mgonline.com
wwwstokestropicals.com
www.plantcare.com(different
from the top one)
www.neoflora.com