I have read this forum, tried and failed, re-read and learned along the way: 1) Control your temperature and humidity and 2) the preferred dampness of the paper towel not "squeeze out all of the excess water" but a nice firm squeeze that you might put of your misbehaving child while in the grocery store. So I have cleaned, toweled, and baggied the following cuttings and they have responded with root initials and swelling buds. I know the answer, in general, "cup it" but now what?

Check out these cuttings, from top to bottom, #1-#3 three have buds that will be covered with soil. Is that wise or should I pinch them before cupping? #3 also has swollen fruit that I will pinch. #4 looks good and #5 appears to be swelling at the lower nodes as well.

In this case, once good root sign is shown, what do the experienced do, just plant it and forget it? I am curious to know what you do in the not-so-obvious instances.

JD

Maybe  it's just me but I would not "cup" yet.  I don't see any roots yet.

Thanks ejp3.

Definitely no roots yet. If leaves arrive before roots which means I have a leaf or two before I cup them (since I am using the baggie method) what then?

If it leafs out at the bottom and if I want to plant it without cutting it, what have you done in the past? Plant horizontally, cut it up (not preferred), plant inverted in a 32oz cup or 1-gallon pot, pinch it, or something else?

JD