<span style='font-size:12pt;line-height:100%'>The vast majority of CP are perennials. Which means that given a suitable environment they can live practically forever. What usually kills them are secondary infections of fungus or bacteria, or both, after having been subjected to unusual stress from environmental factors, including attack by various plant pests. These stresses can often be quite subtle and not easily recognized, though even unnoticed they can leave the equivalent of open wounds which infectious organisms can exploit to damage or destroy our most precious plants. Propagation is the tool I use to help avert total loss of prized clones. By propagating (asexually or sexually, as appropriate) as often as practical, I assure that if one representative plant has a problem and expires, I have others, propagated earlier, who can take its place.</span>