Water is not a good way to root plants. Forsythia roots better from dormant cuttings. Take 6 to 8 inch long cuttings and put in the ground, with only two buds above ground and by next fall they should be rooted Rose cuttings are a little harder to do

Figs root fairly fast though I have not rooted any in water. From what I have read though you should see something within 7-10 days. Oxygen is good for plants. Why are you covering the jars?

Winter cutting is an option. For years I use this method for multiple fruits However, there are certain conditions for achieving results. A good start is half the battle. Winter cutting means, take cuttings about 30 cm long pensil thick to survive they need reserve substances use a good rooting hormone. plant cuttings about 20 cm deep in a good airy soil mixture and leave them all winter long dormancy outdoors Frost can do any harm, you need protect them from drying freezing cold wind. second option: take your cuttings and keep them until March. keep them in a plastic bag and keep on a dark cool place, optionally you can use clonex and leave it till March. By this time you can see callus, thatâÂÂs a good sign. After that you can plant in soil. third possibility: Propagating plants by air layering : application in spring you can find plenty info on the web. fourth application: propagation of pear rootstocks Quince simply through a bottle of water. happy growing pears from cuttings Alcedo

Timothy Wood, HERE is a great youtube video showing commercial production of softwood cuttings, in this case elm. Unfortunately, quality demonstrations about propagation of trees from cuttings are nearly impossible to find on the internet. There are some "old wives tales" about rooting tree cuttings in water which are mostly nonsense. Your magnolia can be rooted in NC in late June/early July. We usually cut the leaves of magnolia in half to save on space in the prop bed. Since you likely do not have a greenhouse you can make a cold frame and put a sash over it, do not locate in direct sun. Fill it up with cuttings, mist by hand a couple of times a day and keep sash closed 'till they root. One final note, when you take your leafy cuttings they are very perishable, place them in a plastic bag and in a cooler. Stick them within an hour or two after you take them.