Yes, there are pros/cons to any method, many of which are conditional, so personal judgment in comparing anecdotes to one's situation should be very helpful in recognizing what meshes well.
Since keeping cuttings in water works fine for me and allows me to have many individuals on windowsills where pots don't fit anyway, that's what I've done and will continue to do. With so many possible variables, I can't say why some cuttings done in water (or soil) have failed for some people before. But, with about anything garden-related, there's many ways to do it. So if one way has failed, try another. All of the methods seem to have many advocates and successful anecdotes, so I would hesitate to say any is better than another as a blanket statement for everyone. Everyone would have to have the same conditions to make that possible.
The only thing I know that's missing is actual hydroponics. Maybe someone who's grown anything that way, or even Coleus, might have something to add in that direction.
There is no question it must be done before frost, as far as Coleus goes. What to do after that is sure fun to talk about. This is the most comprehensive discussion I've seen or participated in about that, really cool, options are good. Few plants can tolerate such a range of weirdness being done to them.
Linda, if I have more than one individual in a jar/bottle, the roots become hopelessly entangled. I've left them in clumps, ripped them apart, cut them apart, the plants don't seem to care but it's hard to separate them without snapping the fragile stems. And look at how I treat them, and what do I have to compare to? People who are 'nicer' to the cuttings would likely have different tales to tell. This is the level of effort and space I can devote, and the results I've had. Not cheerleading for followers at all, just relating anecdotes for folks to judge against for their own. Might sound horrible to some, that's fine with me, glad to help in that way.
Wishing many happy leaves to everyone!
