Preparing the rooting mix: Fill flower pots with equal parts of perlite and peat moss. Add 1 teaspoon of lime per quart of mix, and blend it in. Wet the mix thoroughly and let it drain.

Making the frame: Bend 1 or 2 wire coathangers or a length of sturdy wire into a U shape and insert the ends of the wire into the rooting mix.

Preparing the cuttings: Cut off the top of the plant you wish to save. Take the part that will be the new plant, plus 2 to 4 inches of stem. Strip off all of the leaves on the extra stem portion. Dip the bottom of the stem in a rooting powder. Insert the stem into the rooting mix. If the soil is tight make a hole with your finger or a tool. Do not force the stem into the soil. Press the mix gently around the stem, then slip a clear plastic bag over the wire frame. Secure the bag around the pot with rubber bands. The bag acts as a miniature greenhouse by maintaining high moisture levels in the soil and air. Keep the cuttings in a warm place where they receive bright, indirect light, but not direct sunlight. Remove the plastic cover once a week to make sure the rooting mix has not dried out; water if necessary.

Checking for roots: Check for roots after 3 weeks by gently tugging the cutting. If the cutting is firmly bound to the mix by the new roots, it is ready to transplant into potting soil. If the cutting has not rooted adequately, check weekly until it is well rooted.