I've always just soaked the pellet, stuck a chopstick in the top to poke a hole, and put my clone in. Haven't lost one yet. I put mine in a pint glass and then drop a rocks glass into the pint glass. I think if you are using a sterile container, keep it sealed except for opening it an hour or two per day, use clean water, the clone won't rot. Or maybe I've had exceptional luck.