hey there Doc!
yes i think the extra veg time will worth it. they are looking healthy and very BIG. none of the clones root, i gave up on them as i dont have any extra space in the tent (it is my only avaliable growing area at the moment, for security reasons) but for next grow i shall root some clones
I was having problems with clones as well but this helped me out so maybe when you try you can do the same and see if it works...
I bought a gel rooting hormone similar to clone x.
I wait till they are already showing sex or close to before I decide to cut for clones.
Sterilize everything im gonna use.
I make the cut scrape a lil the botom where I would like the roots to be.
Put some gel on the scratched surface.
I have used soil and jiffy pallets with same results.
Then I spray or water with ph'd water.
Place them in a home made dome or put a zip lock bag over it misted with same water.
Then place them where they get light but not too much just enough to survive.
Check them everyday if they need water mist them a bit and same thing on lid or bag.
After 4 days the stem starts to get whiter and soon you get bumps and then roots day after.
I check for progress after the 5 day by gently removing them from medium until I see roots and 1 to 2 days later I transplant to soil if not already.
I leave the dome on for 3 more days every day removing for longer periods until they dont wilt...
With this method 10/10 have rooted under 9 days I just right now checked other ones that took 6 days and a couple of hours.
I have tried every method almost gave up as well and this is fool proof for me btw keep temps from 75 to 80 Fahrenheit.