I wouldn't worry about the cut part of the leaf turning brown.

Rhododendron is not a particularly easy species to propagate by cuttings. I once heard that the time to take the cuttings is when the stem feels sticky.

You might like to experiment with growing some from seed. Probably the resultant plants will flower a fairly ordinary flower but it might be fun to try.

Thank you Tete a Tete! I'll research collecting seeds this winter. Never thought of doing it that way. But when you said not to worry about the leaf turning brown does that mean you think they still have a chance of rooting?

I am a very wet blanket on this forum as I seem to come in and say, "That's very difficult unless you have the right set-up," and I am even starting to annoy myself. Rhododendron is difficult though. On the other hand, if you don't try, then you won't have a chance of success.

Try and mist them as much as you can. On the other hand, if they are confined in plastic somehow, make sure they have access to air somewhere. Good luck.