I've been taking notes on all the propagation chambers that people use here. I had some success this summer with softwood cuttings, but I used the wrong medium (potting soil) and I lost more cuttings than I rooted. This winter, I want to try hardwood cuttings of deciduous and evergreen plants.

In my unheated walkout basement, the winter temperature can drop to nearly freezing in January and February. I'm planning to build a small insulated space that I can control the temperature. I hope to keep the space at about 40-50 degrees. If I use the chambers, will I be successful or should I just stick them in outdoor beds filled with coarse sand?

I understand that rooting takes place around 45 degrees. Tops need to remain cool while the bottoms are heated. Will I need lights as well? What should the time cycle for on/off be? 12/12? 14/10? 8/16?

Anything else I should consider?

I was thinking about a greenhouse, but my power bill is already high enough trying to keep this old castle warm.