My cutting looks like it is burned all the way around at the soil line. What is that?
It is probably sunburn from too much heat at the soil line. If the burn goes all the way around, pull the cutting from the pot and check for roots. If it has none, cut above the burn line until you get fresh, clean, white pulp — coat with rooting hormone, cure for 7 days, and repot. If the burn does not go all the way around, bring the cutting into the shade and pile soil up around the sunburned area. If it leafs out and roots it should be fine. If it still stalls, pull it out of the pot and follow directions above.
