Carol: Now is an ideal time to root pentas because of the natural heat and high humidity we are having. I use regular potting soil in a container that has drainage holes. Wet the soil and let it drain.

This may sound silly, but be sure the soil is wet. For my small starter pots, I use a pencil or stick - whatever is handy - and "mix" the soil. You may be surprised to find that the soil in the just watered pot is still dry! If this is what you find, slowly dribble water into the soil and "mix" it with your stirrer until the soil does become moistened.

I'm stingy with the size of my cuttings because I like to retain as much of the mother plant as I can. Therefore I take a cutting that has just two nodes (places along the stem from which the leaves grow). Any flower, bud, etc. is removed. The top set of two leaves is retained. The leaves at the lower node are removed.

If I'm not in a hurry, at this point I'll put the end of the cutting into water and let it sit for about 1/2 hour just to be sure it's well hydrated.

Then I dip the cutting end into rooting hormone. Pentas root easily so if you don't have this item, you'll still be successful. However, I have a bottle and, at the rate of use, there'll be enough to will to my next of kin so I tend to use it whenever I make cuttings.

Make a hole in the drained potting soil with your pencil/stick and insert the cutting. Depending upon the container depth and the space between the nodes on your cutting, you can plant the cutting up to the top set of leaves. Water again so the soil settles securely around the cutting. Let the pot drain. Keep in bright light - but not direct sun - while it forms roots. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

New growth developing in the area of the top set of leaves is an indication that roots have formed and the plant is ready to grow.

I use all sorts of containers for starting pots. For smaller cuttings, I especially like to re-use clear pudding cups. Poke 3-4 holes in the bottom for drainage and pot up your cutting. Because of the clear plastic, you'll be able to see when the cutting has formed roots.

As you have success, you'll find it hard to throw away prunings because you'll see material for another plant!

Good luck - June