Never tried the cutting one. I only read once that one guy successfully rooted one with cuttings. Don't know it's true or not. But you can always try.

Air layer is pretty easy but takes a long time and some patience.

First locate a healthy branch, cut the outer bark off about one inch wide. Then get some long sphagnum moss, wrap the wound, then use plastic to seal the moss, finally use some foil to hold everything in position. Now just wait, about one week or so, you have to water the moss, make sure it's always moist. Mine rooted in about 4 months.

Thanks, yellowthumb! I sure will give it a shot. I have air layered several other plants, but was not sure if Michelia would take roots.
Thanks for sharing,
mrao77