Question
I have a purpletrumpetflower.My second.My first died in an el nino year.This one is still in a pot. It doesn't seemto be doing well.It started to look bad when we had a cold spell, so I brought it in.It was doing better so I took it back out. Now one of the trunks looks dead, could it be dormant?, and the other trunk looks fine.My daughter says I should cut a branch off and try to propagate it in case the plant is dying, but I'mnot sure how this is done. What do I do once I cut off a branch?

Answer
Hi Nereida,
Thanx for your question.  What is you location and climatic conditions?  If you want to take a cutting, cut a piece off about 6-8 inches long.  Strip off all of the leaves except the last 2 or 3.  Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone like Rootone available at many nurseries.  Plant the cutting about 1-2 inches in a pot of soil less mix or wet sand.  Place the pot inside a clear plastic bag to keep up the humidity.  Keep the bottom warm.  Top of the fridge works well.  Rooting should occur in 8 weeks or more.  You can tell by new green growth or by gently probing around the cutting.  If you find a lot of white roots, you can gently lift the plant out and place it in its own pot.  You'll want to harden it off by placing it outdoors in the shade (after the last frost) where it will be safe from extremes in rain, wind, hail and temperature for about 10 days and then plant in full sun.  Make sure you don't put these plants out until all danger of frost has passed.  I hope this helps.
Tom