Starting cuttings???

Good Day --
Had our favorite Breakfast at Hardee's this morning -- 
    Biscuits and Gravy !!!!

I used to root cuttings from Geraniums and Begonias in potting soil but 50% 
would die so this year I thot I would try to do it Right (or at least Better).

From what I've been reading, I went out and bought Perlite and Vermiculite 
and mixed them half and half in 3 inch pots.  Since Jan I have tried 
different combinations of Geranium cuttings using different combinations of 
rooting hormone and bottom heat; with and without clear lids.  So far I have 
had absolutely NO Survivors!!  Needless to say I am very depressed about 
this...

Can any of you please, please, please give me some advice on what I should do 
differently.

And my next question is --
I am running out of fresh P&V.  I have set aside quite a few 3 inch pots of 
this P&V mixture in which all my cuttings died.  Some of them have developed 
something "scuzzy" on the top which I fear is some sort of mold or bacteria.  
Can I Sterilize the Perlite and Vermiculite by dumping them into a cake pan 
and baking 2 hours or so at 250 degrees? 

Thanks for your help.
Hope you are enjoying what may be the last Snowfall of the season!
Barb
USDA Zone 5, Rock Island, IL
"What this country needs is dirtier fingernails & cleaner minds."  
--Will Rogers
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