I like to use pearlite and a clear cup with holes in them so I can see what is going on. I also use Clones rooting hormone. I would get them on a heating pad to give bottom heat. Kind of soft is hard to say. Wrinkled can be normal untill they get roots. Since you cut them they need a few days to calus up again before trying to root again. With out a photo I'm not sure. Ask Bill...

Mickey

I second the thought of bottom heat. For cuttings I think that is the best thing, it's all about the roots at this point. I have a cutting that I am extremely protective over, and amarons curly white, that I have on a heat mat and I have a light shinning right down on the base of it to help keep that bottom nice and cozy warm. I mist it a couple times a week all up and down the stem with water with B1 and SuperThrive in. Definitly let that cutting callous back over. I'm sure you'll get a bunch of replys here and the help that you need.

Good luck, Lauri

I have one cutting that also has a spongy pith. The remainder of the stem is firm and the tissue is white but has no latex flowing. The tips look ok and the claws seem to be growing so I've left it alone. I'll just wait and see what happens. I did recut it and leave it in a cup of water, B1 and ST for a couple days to rehydrate and am waiting for the end to dry to repot it. I only water cuttings once after I pot them then wait until they develop a few big leaves. I do mist the tips but no water into the pot. I think watering an unrooted cutting once a week is asking for trouble.
Karyn

Karyn is "spot on" with the comment about watering once a week is deadly!!! Established plants and seedlings need water but cuttings need to be dry in the soil. Misting is fine. Also have the rooting compound (with fungicide) come up the outside of the stem to ground level and then tap off the excess. good luck. Bill

Should I cut back till I get firmer insides? Where do you get the B1 and ST? I don't think I've seen them at regular stores.

I had a question about bottom heat...

I am trying to root some cuttings now, the ambient air temps are 80-85F day, 70-75F night - is bottom heat still beneficial at these warm temperatures? It would seem unnecessary, but I don't have the experience to make a definitive judgment. Thanks.

Xerophyte I'm assuming that you have your cuttings inside at night with those temps. Bottom heat would still be helpful because whatever hard surface they are sitting on is probably not that warm and a seed mat will generate heat into the soil. Once it gets really warm outside, say the end of June - August you can leave cuttings on a dark surface, like asphalt that retains heat.

Plumeriagirl I get ST online from New England Hydro but I'm not sure if they sell B1. I found a hydroponics store near me that sells it. Depending on where you live you might be able to find both at a Home Depot or Walmart. If not there's some threads here that have links to places that carry them. I'd cut back your plant until you get to tissue that appears healthy then dust it with a fungicide and allow it to dry.
Karyn

Karyn1

I have an indoor HID light set-up, which for the most part is vacant now as most plants are outside, but I keep it running for the plumie cuttings and to get my caladium bulbs started because of the warmth, so yes, the temperatures are that warm, I keep a digital thermometer nearby and check daily.

X

Xerophyte I have two 1000 watt HID lights inside and I still have my plumie cuttings on a seed mat. The lights generate a good deal of heat but it doesn't penetrate the soil. If you have seed mats use them.
Karyn

PS: I'm glad the temps have warmed up and I could get most of my plants out but I really wish they could all go out. It's soooo hot in here now with the HID lights going. They added a nice amount of warmth when it was cold but it's almost unbearable now. lol