Is the left side of pic 1 & front of pix 2 where you did the cutting? I think that if you don't see new stems & leaves coming out of these vines by early August I would cut them completely (or within an inch or so) of the ground. But in your zone I wouldn't cut anything after the middle of August, because you don't want to encourage new growth, which cutting does, so close to a possible frost. If you don't get to it, pruning above the 3rd leaf bud in May will have the same effect, when you want it to grow bushier. I think your pink might be Comtesse de Bouchaud, a type 3 (hard prune) variety, and the redish little one a texensis hybrid, possibly Princess Diana or Duchess of Albany. I don't know that much about this type yet. Mine are so young that I intend to cut them back next Spring, when Forsythias bloom, if Winter hasn't already done the job for me, which happens on many of my clems. Cutting down will not kill a clem, at worst will delay or forego blooming that season. Cutting has been recommended on the forum for rejuvination old clems that have woody stems. After you cut down, give the plant a good feeding. Rose or tomato food, bone meal, dried cow manure will halp it to grow back. Marie in ME

Did you ever find any seeds? I bought some off of ebay. It wasn't very pricey either and in spite of my torturing them from the get-go I am having some decent results. Sheila

Marigolds are a great starting point. Cosmos are another flower that is so easy to save and have again and again. Also Zinnias--though the seeds are little more difficult to tell from the chaff. Nigella makes wonderful little seed pod "puffs" that simply spill the see out. Nothing like getting "free"plants! I even save vegetable seeds--even from hybrids. As long as you understand that hybrids are a cross, and the new plants will be unique and different, it can still be fun. After years of having volunteer tomatoes and squash from my compost pile, I just got more deliberate and started experimenting. (For newbies, "volunteers" are plants that just show up in your yard, that you haven't actually planted. You may find that you have marigold volunteers next year from this year's spilled seeds.) I like to save the seeds from my jacko'lantern and plant them the following year. It's fun, easy--and who cares if it isn't exactly like the hybrid original? (Of course sometimes you can get a dud by planting such seeds, like you plant pumpkin seeds, but you get acorn squash, because it was used as part of the hybrid process. ) All a part of the adventure! (And again, it's free anyway.) I find the easiest way to save some seeds like tomatoes is by scraping the gooey seeds thinly onto a napkin, which dries, then I store it in a dark, cool place. Next season, I can plant napkin and all right in the garden. The paper dissolves and the seed can root through it. I can cut strips and plant them wherever I want it.

Well, I was going to tell you that you did fine and the plant looks pretty good. The lowest leaves will always be recycled into new growth as the plant ages, particularly so in times of drought and stress. The root system looks good, not too small at all. Rather typical in fact. However, you made a significant mistake: "I then watered it thoroughly, as the bagged mix was bone-dry." Oops! Never ever do that with any succulent. When you repot, there are very small mechanical injuries made to the roots. This leaves the external surface of the leaves open to fungal infection. So generally it is best to wait a few days after repotting before providing any water, giving time for the small nicks and cuts to callous over. This will significantly reduce the risk of fungal meltdown after repotting. Additionaly, that Black Gold succulent mix is far too water retentive. It should be further amended with pumice/lava rock and/or perlite or turface. Stones on top are just fine. I do that all the time to make plant more attractive, and to counter-balance heavy plants, What to do now that I have told you about watering and repotting? Do Nothing yet. Watch the plant carefully. Research gritty mixes. Don't water again soon. If you are not certain it's time to water again, Don't! These plants can go weeks, even months with the water they have already stored. Brad