He Dude just abide a little while, say a few prayers and calm your system. It's obvious you love your plants man. But you got to let your children run free if they are going to grow to be strong. We were all in your shoes when we took our first cuttings.
I usually don't take my cuttings between the 4th and 5th node. I usually take my cuttings between the second and third node right above the third node. I trim all the secondary leaves in half. However, I believe in Jorge, so do what he says if you like.
Monitor your heat, you just want to maintain a differential between the air temp in the hood and the temp at the base of your cubes. 5 degrees is enough to coax those roots. I stick a thermometer in a moist cube of rockwool. Position the thermometer about 75% into the rockwool. Then hang another temp monitor inside your hood about midway or at the level of your vegetation. Shoot for 5 degrees difference, up to 10 degrees difference may actually be too much IMHO (if your air temp is 70 your root temp should be 75-80).
I noticed from your plants that there is actually no wilting of the leaves. This is a very good sign that you will be ok. No wilting means the plant is still transporting water (no air embolism).
I always soak and pH ballance my rock wool beforehand. I also do a final soak in an extremely light solution of grow nutes. I'm talking 50-100 ppm nutes using either DI or RO water. You can use any good nutes (I like Peters Classic 20/20/20, or Earth Juice RootStock if you want to spend some money). I use this solution to mist and water my rockwool. I don't water my rock wool until I see that first root. And then I'd water from the bottom up by dipping in a small saucer so I know my wool is not to saturated. Keeping air inside that wool is important, you just want enough water for humidity.
I think Jorge recommends the 4 to 5 node so that you can have some decent foliage on your plant. Jorge knows that those leaves will actually run the rooting engine. My guess is that 4-6 leaves is going to give your plant the best opportunity. I don't use so many leaves when I do it, but all things considered the leaves, light, and humidity is probably the greatest help for your plant. I've seen cuttings survive in rockwool with just leaves, light and humidity.
I think you are showing a lot of success for your first go at it. You've done your research, you're relying on input from other growers, you're following the rules of cloning, and your passionate about your kids. They look fine so far.
Peace Out Baby
Dammit.
Subtle
)
