Each week my rooting success increases- about 45% right now and I anticipate more success next week. I did notice that some of the pencil size tip cuttings clearly will not make it- dessicated, brittle with dried tip buds. I used Botone rooting powder on most of the cutting and rooted in cups with a 60-20-20 mixture of Perlite ,Vermiculite and pottintg soil.
Upon examination, I found that the area where the bottom of the cuttings were dipped in rooting powder were completely devoid of bark (about 1"). It appears that the powder disolved the bark or caused the bark to detached from around the stem- leaving bare wood.
Has anyone else had this problem? The larger diameter cuttings do not show this and most have rooted.

I've had the same experience with the rooting powder so I no longer use it. Seems to dry it all out for me.

How much of the cutting is above the soil line and how are you maintaining humidity? I leave 1/2 inch above soil line per Jon's reccommendation and the soil is 1/2 perlite 1/2 potting soil that is barely dampened per Jason's advice. These two items along with the "new bag method" in a covered tupperware has me a strike rate that I am very pleased with.

Powdered rooting hormone is not recommended. Seems to increase rotting.

I bury the cutting 1/2 to 2/3 its length and after reading Jon's reply will not use it again. Thanks guys.

Dip n grow works the best for me, that and wrapping the cuttings in moist spagnum moss wrapped in a paper towel then into plastic bags, then into a tote alongside cuttings that are already in bands and have a grow light on them. The heat from thr grow light helps a lot with rooting. I have about a 75-80% success rate.