Not sure about your space to do this indoors but any new growing tip should still start indoors under lights. I use Wilsons Rooting Gel for other plants and it seems to work almost anytime as long as the growth is fresh from which you are taking the cutting.
I put them into the larger peat pellets inside a Dairy Queen Sundae cup with lid.
Check out some of the pics on my blog under Blue Honeysuckle. Just copy this address to your browser
http://aprairiejournal.blogspot.com/

Here is a link about rose cuttings and willow water.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rose Cuttings

I'm no expert, but I started 9 hardy rugosa rose cuttings a couple months ago. I made the cuttings as you describe, but also scraped the ends lightly with a knife before dipping in the rooting hormone. I planted them on the north side of my house under some shade trees with plastic pop bottles (caps on, bottom of the bottle cut off) placed over the cuttings which keeps the moisture in like a little greenhouse. It's very important to keep them watered so that you see condensation inside the bottle at all times. So far I've only lost one of the cuttings. The rest have all sprouted brand new leaves. Oh yeah, cut the leaves you do leave on your cuttings in half so you can tell when new leaves form. I've noticed that my new leaves are lighter in color. I'm planning on leaving my cuttings outside under their bottles all winter. I'll probably try and protect them with leaves or evergreen branches. I've never tried this before. I might end up with 8 dead cuttings next spring, but they didn't cost anything anyway.

Thanks cmmwiebe and Kristin_flower. Your comments are most appreciated.