Do you think that the neoprene pucks being too tight is smothering the cuttings and making them rot? The most success I've had with the cloner is with woody cuttings of roses and tropical hibiscus. I've had a few herbaceous cuttings get roots, but they were so depleted that the plants eventually died. Is it the wetness of the neoprene causing rot, or the constriction of the stem that is causing the issues?

Mine was the holes squeezing the stems too tight. These things just require some practice. They really are amazing when you get used to them and the little quirks they have.

Wow! Wish I had come across this thread a month ago. I just bought a 9 cell EZ-Clone and fired it up today with Viburnum, Cenizo, Youpon Holly and Turk's Cap cuttings. I really hope this works!