Problematiic woody plant propagation

Hi everyone,

   I've been trying to propagate two species from cuttings that 
   I've read should be very easy, but I'm having a bear of a time
   getting them to work.  

   Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood) is supposed to be 
   easy to propagate from both hardwood and softwood cuttings.  I
   tried 32 hardwood cuttings last winter and all died, and then
   the 54 softwood cuttings taken two months ago still haven't rooted
   and are starting to rot.  Softwoods are in peat:perlite under
   mist and had 3000ppm IBA talc dip.

   The other species is Salix pentandra (bay willow).  I mean,
   come on, it's a willow!  :)  But 32 cuttings taken in mid-July
   and placed in peat:perlite under mist are also yielding very
   low rates, whether with a 3000ppm IBA quick dip or without.
   The cuttings all lost their leaves within one week, and then
   the survivors put out new growth.

   I've had great success with lots of other plants, but I can't 
   figure out what I'm doing wrong.  Does anyone have any tips?

   I did collect Salix seeds and will try those, but Metasequoia
   has a notoriously low germination rate.  I'd also like to clone
   the parent -- it has a really nice form.

Thanks,

Chris

P.S.  This list has been quiet.  We need to discuss more!

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