Whenever I've rooted in water, I just put the stems in water and gave them bright light. Maybe it's hit or miss sometimes. If I've done it ten times, then I've probably had rot once or twice.

Are you positive all the rot was cut away before you attempted to root in water? Maybe there was a tiny bit of rot still on the stem that you missed, and it later spread.

Hi Amany,
I was positive I cut away all the rot; in fact some of the stems had no rot at all. You're another show of proof positive that dieffenbachias can be rooted in water. If I need to try this again, I won't hesitate to do it. Fingers crossed my other dieff. continues to grow and flourish.

Unfortunately I cannot offer any advice. I just wanted to say that the dieffenbachia that my in-laws recently gave me was rooted in water. Perhaps different varieties are more difficult to root in water than others? Sorry I couldn't help.

Jas, I don't know if this will help or not, but anytime I tried rooting African Violets in water they died, so I always rooted in soil.
I recently tried an experiment that might help you. I used a clear glass, (about 3=4oz) added warm water, (water was kept in an old milk container over 24 hours) a small piece of aluminum foil, set foil on top of glass, made a hole with pencil, then slipped the stem into water. The cutting's in a north window, (I've read while rooting anything the cutting shouldn't be placed in bright/direct sun)
Every 2-3 days, I dump water and add new.. by using a clear glass I'm able to watch for roots..so far it's working.
Then again with Dieff's, rooting in soil might be best. I'd use either Peat Pots or a 2-3" plastic pot. Use a well=draining soil. Moisten soil, make a hole in center, insert cutting, cover, then place pot and plant inside a plastic bag..Cut a slit for ventilation. Keep in bright but no direct sun area.
BTW, spring and summer are choice times to root..Cuttings root much faster than they do this time of year..
Maybe that's why your cuttings rotted?????
BTW, when handling Dieffs, be careful for sap..it's toxic. Wash hands after..Toni

Thanks for all the ideas.
I currently have 5 canes laying down in soil in a container inside a plastic bag. My yucca rooted within 4 weeks this way, so I'm trying it with my Dieffenbachia.

The way my apartment faces I get no summer sun (but light) but all day sun in the winter. The past 3 days my apartment has been flooded with beautiful sun. So my plants actually do quite well in the winter.

Sherry

Hi Sherry..When you rooted your Yucca, what part of the cane did roots and leaves grow from?
Did you plant each cane horizontally?
My yucca's over 12' tall..dh was bringing it in the house..while walking through the doorway, he smacked into the doorway and damaged the top..since it sliced, I sawed off a 1' section..It's in water but I don't know if it'll rot..I'm also thinking of cutting the whole tree down..I also removed and am rooting the top section of leaves in soil..The accident happened in Oct, leaves are still alive so hope it's rooting.
Anyway, do you suggest I root the 1' trunk in soil instead of water??? It's not doing anything water, but I don't expect much this time of year..I'm not concerned about the top portion...I actually set in water to see if it'd root, but if I decide to cut back the entire Yucca I'd like to know which way to go..Soil or water?
It's a variegated Yucca I got while working at Rentokil Tropical Plants in 94. Don't want to lose it. It was less than 1' tall when I brought it home.
Please let me know how your cuttings are doing and if it works..Thanks, Toni