Can a vine survive un potted and not in ground?

[moose13]

This sounds like a stupid question so bare with me.
My neighbor had a vine growing up her house and throughout the eaves of the house.
2 years ago she cut the vine from the ground trying to kill it due to taking over the house.
It continued to grow on nothing but the house. I know it sounds crazy but the vine had been detached
from the ground for all this time and is still thriving. What could it be living on as far as nutrition?
Is it possible for a plant to survive without being potted or in ground?

Today she called me over and it finally got heavy enough to fall off the eaves. So i grabbed it, planted it, and draped and weaved through
a fence in our yard. It is some sort of grape vine and has a main stalk about 5/8" thick. It covers the vence and looks great.
Any advice on these?

Thanks!

 

[lesa]

Without knowing where you are - I would have two guesses on the kind of vine. I would say either virginia creeper or trumpet vine. The vine must have still had roots, in order for it to survive. If the vine was that overgrown, the roots could be under or in the foundation- and hard to detect. Even the most vigorous plant must have roots to survive. (With the exception of air plants, etc.) Some vines root themselves along the length of the vine, as well. It would be helpful if you could determine the type of vine that you have. Happy Gardening!

 

[moose13]

Thanks for your reply.
There must be a root system we are just not seeing that may have somewhere creeped behind the house somewhere.