I have several cuttings that have developed roots that are now about 5mm in length.  Is it time to remove them from the zip-lock bags into cups?  Or should I wait unit multiple roots develop?  I don't want to push the curve to the limits.  I looked for photos and references in my search for this question.  Wish someone would post a photo of a cutting showing a typical root structure ready to be moved to the next step.  Thanks for giving my questions your attention, maybe I will be successful with some of the 50 cuttings I presently have in bags.

I wait until I see 3 or more that are at least 1/2 inch long.

I aim for 2-3 roots at least a one quarter to one half inch long.

Thanks Jason and Dominick for answering my question.  Most of these cuttings have been in the bags for 3~4 weeks.  Had a problem with mold on several bags so I removed the cuttings and put them in new bags and new paper.  Should I start inspecting these cutting every few days?  All of my cuttings are in my greenhouse and I maintain the humidity at or around 80%.  Thanks again for giving this your time and attention...

I move mine as soon as I see either root initials, or new leaves coming out. Whichever comes first. While I was away for 3 days, one of the cutting that I didn't pay attention to grew 5-6 roots 3/4 inches long. Some of them were stuck on the paper towel. I wet the paper towel with water and tried not to damage them. Then I had to put the cutting into cup trying not to break them... I like roots short as possible when moving to cup.

Pete

I move mine from plastic bags to gallon pots as soon as I see a root.  They break too easily to mess around with.  The shorter they are the less liely they are to bend and break.

Thanks Pete for you input.  I have several with really small roots so I am going to move them to cups with Perlite and potting mix.

Yes, thanks for all of you for your input.

I have simply cupped new cuttings in the past (with mixed results), and am trying the baggie method for the first time on a few this year.   I transplanted a couple 4 week baggers with initials only and they are doing good so far.   After reading this thread, I'll wait a little longer on my next couple.

Thanks again to all of you, and to Richard for asking the question in the first place. 

I pot them to 32 oz cups or smaller when initials are about an inch with 2-3 roots. Rarely they would go to any container bigger than 32oz cups. I find smaller than 32 oz cups better for me when it comes to management of moisture content.

Noss are you saying there are two types of roots?  I broke some little roots off when I unwrapped some cuttings to see if they had rooted.  I changed out the paper towel and went to newspaper as someone implied that they tend to stick to the paper towel and not newsprint.  Hopefully these small roots I damaged will not be fatal.