b'cuz your cutting has no roots and cannot stay hydrated via the roots, the closed up baggie or whatever is to maintain enough humidity to keep the cutting from dying.

If you have fungus gnats, your media is likely contaminated. It wouldn't hurt to boil water and pour through it to sterilize it before you use it for cuttings.

Cheers,
Michelle

I think it was Christopher Lloyd who described rooting plants as a race between rooting and rotting.

If most of the cuttings are rotting, the media may be too wet or hold too much water. Then there are the variables that are difficult to change, like the general temperature, outside humidity, and general amount of light. For many people there is 'outside', 'inside', and 'basement', and they are what they are.

Michelle, I changed brands of potting medium recently. We will see if that helps.
I like that saying about rooting and rotting. Good one to remember. Ah, tis a fine balance isn't it?
Thanks folks.

You can dip the cuttings in hydrogen peroxide before putting them in the medium and it will help with the rotting issue. I have even saved cutings that develop mold around the stems by misting them with a spray bottle filled with hydrogen peroxide.

I bought some rooting stuff last night. It is a thick gel (I spilled the little cup I had it in but it didn't even escape!) It has a fungicide included in the formula. Between that and the new potting mix I will have better luck. And a bottle of bleach too. So hopefully I can stop this rotting issue for the most part. They are now getting the full treatment, so to speak. I was doing it kind of half-a**ed before.

triple b you are hilarious! I really enjoy reading your posts, you crack me up! Off to prepare some more cuttings to root.

thanks, I try. What I lack in knowledge I try and make up for in lightheartedness.