Pinch off the leaves on the lower half of the cutting. Also remove any flowers. Tap off any surplus material. Whereas cuttings from some shrubs root easily, others are more difficult. Root-promoting substances increase the percentage of cuttings that root, shorten the period needed for rooting, and increase the number of roots per cutting.
Most products are in powder form.
To avoid brushing off the powder when inserting the cuttings, make holes in the rooting medium with your finger or a pencil. Insert the cuttings approximately 2 inches deep into the rooting medium. After all the cuttings are inserted, carefully water the medium and let it drain. Water is critical to the survival of the cuttings. A cutting has no root system to absorb water, yet continues to lose water through its leaves.