I've been cloning for about 2 years and I am super lazy when I do it. I've only ever lost 2 cuttings (made about 120 clones, perhaps more).
I:
- ph my water to 6.0(doin it right)
- don't add anything but tap water(lazy)
- never change the water(lazy)
- use a shop light from Home Depot ($40) about 18"-20" away(cheap)
- fish bubbler to ensure bubbles are popping across the entire water surface(doin it right)
- leave it and don't even think to look at them for 2 weeks(lazy)
Usually by 2 weeks I got a few roots jetting out and the entire stem that is inside the cloner has little white root buds forming.
Give it 3-4 weeks (I change the water sometimes) and my entire res is full of roots.
Don't rush it, don't over do shit, they will root.