propagation via hibiscus cutting

My hibiscus cutting rooted successfully - a nice swirl had even started at the base of the pot. How do I know this? Well, after a month or two of neglect under the glass table and a plastic sheet cover, I decided to clean up the "undercroft" zone. That's when I discovered a prolific aphid infestation on the leaves on the cutting (gross). There were too many gnats and dead-looking sticks that I decided that everything should just be binned. Just out of curiosity, I loosen the hibiscus pot expecting to pull out 3 twigs, but as I pull, I actually felt some resistance - too late though. Twig and roots, separated in an instant with a snap. 

Have more faith next time, and check throughly before doing anything rash.