Did you run out of the Home Depot rooting powder?
I recently ran out of it and havent noticed a difference without it.
2 for 2 so far without it.
Seems like maybe an extra day or two... I dont know, but they still root with the coco and tap without the powder.
Is the dip n grow a gel, and is that where the stems rot, or is it above the dirt line?
I think what they mean by softwood or hardwood is the maturity of the cutting.
For instance new growth that is usually still green and soft would be considered soft, while a more mature hardened branch might be hard or semi hard.
Not sure if that makes sense...