I've been using a modified version of Rich's method that seems to be working well right now.  Here's what I've found so far:

I don't doubt your method or results Rich, only my ability to duplicate it effectively. Haha

I don't have the exact setup, just as close as I can get with the materials I have on hand.  I do sift my perlite to some extent...found that a standard issue spaghetti colander works relatively well to remove the dust and smallest pieces.  As for the fertilizer...the first couple cuttings that I deemed worthy of moving out of the humidity chamber died quickly after watering with fertilizer included(its a liquid rooting forumula diluted to about 1/2 strength of what was directed).  After that, the next few I deemed ready to move up...I just watered them...no fertilizer.  They still croaked on me all the same. 

As for setting everything up...

About 1/3 of my cuttings were started in perlite, the other 2/3 were started in sphagnum, and moved to perlite once they rooted.  The cuttings started in perlite had all rooted at some point (when I dumped them all out yesterday to examine them...I'd seen no activity since I started them several weeks ago), but all roots were very very short, and brown/rotted on the end, like they crapped out immediately after forming.

Meanwhile, those started in sphagnum and moved to perlite did relatively well at first.  Many of them developed good strong root systems.  However, upon removing them from the humidity bin and watering them for the first time...it was like a death sentence, fertilizer or not.

I want to reiterate that I'm not trying to be critical...more just worried about my little cuttings and what I'm missing in this process.

brettjm,

How did you remove them from the humidity chamber?  They need to be very slowly acclimated to a drier air environment or the leaves dry out ( the roots are not yet able to support them with enough water I think ).  I found that out last year, my first year rooting figs.  Only after I started very slowly, over about 10 days, opening the lid a bit more every two days, did my cuttings survive.  I had one chamber for rooting, another for transitioning the successful rooted cuttings.  The worst situation was when I got leaves well before the roots - those were very hard to transition.

I love this thread,so many ways to rooting. I use many methods but a really easy method is sticking cutting directly in one gallon with pro-mix soil. I then cover the cutting with clear plastic bag and set in the shade or in the house. I will let them stay this way for around a month. I do air them out once in a while and make sure the soil is damp not wet. After i see nice foliage and after i checked for roots i will open bag up a little and set outside. After a few days i will remove bag and keep in shade to acclimate.

Rich.

Very nice results.

I've been rooting my cuttings in sphagnum moss & then transferring them to a pre-wetted soil mix high in perlite. Been fairly successful with this but it has been a delicate process requiring some delicate balancing and finesse.

I like the straightforwardness and seeming simplicity of what you've outlined here. I have one main question though.

I've never used any hydroponic solutions so I don't know much at all about them. Do you have any theories on how the hydro solution might be conditioning the roots? I'm guessing this has to be a major factor in being able to get away with using so much water through the entire process. Granted, the perlite is the other major contributor since water runs right through it (generally speaking).

I'm asking this because when rooting cuttings with the method I've been using, over watering is the #1 cause of losing the cuttings. Obviously a soil mixture is going to retain more water and be more prone to cause problems if too much water is added. But even when I might get my plants to the point of transferring to some sort of soil mix, if I watered as much as you do at the same point, I'm pretty sure they'd croak (technical term there).

So I'm just positing that there is more going on here than just good draining perlite. I'm guessing that the hydro solution is more of a positive contributor here to the success than it may be getting credit for.

What do you think?

Oh, I must have missed this important point first read around - You water sparingly while they are in the humid chamber. Then water 2X a day once they are out on the trays - Got it.

It's taken a little time for my mind to warm up to it, but I'm starting to like it a bit more now ;) .

Bill, I interpreted the watering after the cuttings were removed from the humidity chamber as watering only one time a day.  One day with the hydroponic solution and then two days with just water, all with the turkey baster.  I hope Rich will chime in tomorrow and spell it out.  Time for bed.  Sleepy.

Rich, this is a Carini cutting received and started Nov 30th in the humidity chamber.  It is sprouting leaves nicely but no roots are showing on the outside or bottom of the cup.  Is this okay in your opinion, or should I be seeing roots by now?  Or, am I overthinking this and just leave it alone and let it grow.  A celeste is doing similar but nice yellow roots are showing at the bottom of the cup.   Thanks Rich.

Thanks Rich.  That was what I suspected so thought you would be the person to ask.  Have a great weekend!

If for some reason someone left the cuttings too long in the humidity container, how would one go about hardening off the cuttings to bring them out of the container.
Thanks
Mike

Rich, 
I remember you said you grew these indoors from Nov-April - so approx 6 months. 
I'm in NYC and we don't plant out until around beginning-mid May so it'll be around 5 months indoors for me... I'm a little worried about providing enough light to keep them healthy all that time. I will only have 4 bulbs of T8 32watt Daylight Deluxe on these. What type of bulb did you use?
Also, we set our heater thermostat to pretty low at night - 62 degrees. Is that too low for an ambient temperature when they are let out of their chambers? If so maybe I'll see what the basement temp is near the furnace.
Thanks!

Rich
Great thread
Lungi and other newbies,
Resist that urge to start your cuttings early. Wait a couple of months until it is closer to the time that you can bring them outside. If your plants do make it the transitions has to be more gradual,and it is a real hassle to keep them going inside
Been there, done that

Many grow shops carry it.
My figs grow like crazy all winter using it.

Rich, do you use water straight from the tap?
Thanks

Happy New Year Rich!  Here is a pic of a celeste start in the humidity chamber since 11-28-14 that I would like your comment about.  They are starting to yellow.  I haven't used any hydroponics solution yet and curious if you thing this looks like lack of nutrients or something else.  Thanks for all your help in this thread.