I dont understand this one. cuttings i buy or get from others i have no problem at all rooting. cutting i take myself rarly root. i just dont get it.

it's possible that without knowing you are paying more attention to ones that are from others.

Dave,

Are these cuttings you have recently cut yourself and tried to root?  Maybe cuttings need a few days of dormant time (like through the mail) to root really well or recently cut cuttings take much much longer to root than somewhat older cuttings?  I'm just taking a wild guess here.

cuttings do not need dormant time. all the cuttings i took during the summer rooted. i just made sure they were not soft green cuttings.

must be the variety you have. My tree is like that also.. I start them together, do another batch and they are still there doing nothing! That is why when I rooted my fat one, I was shocked! Also, many from my tree just desintegrate, before rooting.    just have to keep trying.

its hardy chicago i am trying to root. i started off with four cuttings and now 2 are down beyond saving. the other 2 time will tell. i am not sure if hc is a harder kind to root but i wouldnt think it is.

I should clarify.  Rather than dormant I should have said "let the end dry a bit and seal themselves"  I don't know, with little experience I'm taking a guess but there may be something to a little extra time for the freshly cut ends to "seal" and prevent rot.