I have been reading old posts and all new topics as they come up, but one thing I wanted to maybe clarify or hear what everyone does. This was my first year rooting cuttings. I did not think I was going to do anymore, but another member, Herman gave me some more cuttings. The first batch i did I used the bag method and I waited until I saw a few actual roots. I have read or interpreted from posts that some people pot them up when they start seeing initials like what is in this picture. I am just curious what is best or preferred or does it matter?

Good pic; but all I can see is bark-splits (not roots yet);
hang on, real roots may soon develop...
Wishing you good-luck.

One has a tiny actual root on the other side. I just wasn't sure if some people do pot them up when they see the puffy white stuFf and the splits. I have been waiting until I see decent root, I'm just curoius because I thought maybe I am keeping them in the bag longer then I need to.

The second I saw a root at least 1/8" to 1/4" I put in clear cup with 70/30 perlite/ soil and had good results.

If I didn't see a root for awhile, I waited until the white flakes started turning brown then put in cups. Had success like that as well.

I don't pot up until I have at least one or (preferrably) two roots that are at least 1/4" long.  I didn't hafta worry about that this year using Jon's new baggie method.

I pot it when I see roots longer than 1/8" and progress seen when airing the bags.
By the colour of the cuttings, I see that the bottom one in the picture will need a lot of luck to survive for rooting unless I am not seeing the true colour.

I just dug through my Blackberry to pull photos.  Here are some pictures of what I would consider "ready enough to drop in a cup:

Thanks guys, I figured waiting for roots was best, but I wanted to make sure I am not missing anything. Ottawa, I think the picture is not great, its from my blackberry. The wood is a little older looking then the other cutting, but that big piece is actually the one that has the tiny root on it.

Here is one cutting that I was not happy with - I kept this in the bag because it only had one root, about 1/8", and lots of bark fluff.  I waited for some more "actual" roots to come out of the fluff. before transferring to cup.

That's about there my one cutting is.

I remember that last picture - I put the cutting back in the baggie and it was ready a week later, looking very similar to the cutting in the picture just above it.  Patience, patience, patience.