Propagating plant sprouts help please

I only propagate in the spring, it's too hot now. I also put the cuttings into soil in a 4" pot and keep it wet. I've tried stating cuttings in water and usually when I transfer them to soil, they die. I also keep my cuttings in shade for a month at least even if the plant likes full sun. Sun will dry out the soil and cutting. Finally, I cut the bottom off 2 litter plastic water bottles and put those over each cutting to create a little greenhouse. I lift it each day to water. If you are doing it right, you will see condensation on the inside of the bottle, it's keeping all the moisture inside where the cutting can use it

Funny story……I was at the nursery once, and asked the salesperson how difficult it was to propagate a certain plant I was considering buying. She immediately dropped her friendly sales persona, and said it was a federal crime to propagate plants from that store. It was some kind of copyright infringement on the plant’s original grower. I nodded, and left before the FBI showed up.

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Also, have you ever tried simple layering some low branches? Different plants, I know, but I’ve had great results layering azalea, hydrangea, and forsythia.

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I've not heard of this. Do you mean just clipping some branches and essentially piling them in layers on the ground? Not trying to be smart, genuinely curious.