Ken, TY. I'm a firm believer that treating woody entities more like a maturing bonsai (whether little ones in a pot, or full-size ones in the yard,) where the maintenance is more even, regular. Never allowed to become overgrown, so never need to 'hack.' ...IF one's goal is to maintain the most even, symmetrical, traditional shape.
(Which brings us to...)
But, if you like a sprawl, you can use the same techniques of manipulation to direct the sprawling. I agree, it looked cool sprawling into/through/around other plants in your pics! If the branches are flexible enough, maybe they can be staked/tied up for winter?
None of the growth looks poorly, just sprawling and wild - non-traditional. I love it as-is. Nothing wrong with that, and leaving it that way, but you did start a discussion about cutting something off, so it can fit in the house for winter. Unfortunately, now is not the best time for plant surgery, but I think most cutting of house plants is done because of issues with insufficient space in folks' homes, so happens often as they are coming inside. It's the cuttings that are most at risk during colder/shorter days, so if one isn't much concerned about that, there's little concern for the mama to do it now if you decide it's necessary or simply desirable.
I have occasionally purchased plants that were yet-unrooted cuttings. I'm sure this is a mistake in logistics at the grower, and agree, it is a mistake.
Fascinating sidebar you broached:
"Only one rooted and it's the one running along the floor. It always grew at a slant and when it put out other growth gradually did what you see here. "
This is a common reaction when a 'cutting' is put in a pot at a severe angle, and especially when placed horizontally. A great way to start a new plant that is truly a baby, and has a traditional, symmetrical shape, if one removes the donor branch at the soil line once the new roots and top(s) no longer need it.
" Trimming that back to where it's still variegated should retain the variegated growth."
Agree that this would be the best way to attempt to curb that.
If it blooms, please show us a pic or 7-8.
