im no old school pro but my method to cloning is.....
NOTE: i have bad luck with most rooting hormones i use DIP&GROW
1.select location i look for a branch with a lot of growth nodes
2.make 1st cut @ lowest point below lowest growth node
3.cut leaves in 1/2 or 1/3 but leave most of the ones close to the crown (cut leaves for resperation reason's if u dont know research it a lil)
4.make 2nd final cut BELOW the lowest growth node but make it right below it maybe leave a 16th of an inch of stem below the node or less (iv had luck cuting the node in half on mistake)
5.put in dip and grow (mix to 20x dillution) for 10-45 seconds (to long and it can harm your plant or make it take longer to root)
6.after dip&grow i put in 1x1x1 rockwool cubes and wait 5-15 days for roots to show:dance:


i personaly clone pre budding branches and i do a 18hr cycle waiting for roots after rooted i go 12/12 in dwc hydro buckets 3 1/2 gal