Man, that don't look good to me. If they have been in there for a week or more, with no micro roots, I would change my plans.
Consider soil.
Premoisten a sandy rooting soil mix.
Cut off the bottom inch of stem.
Put a couple slit cut on two sides of the stem.
Dip the stems in Rootone.
Use a pencil to drill a hole in the soil, 1-2 inches deep.
Push the soil tight against the stem.
Water lightly next few days.
Good luck.