I have plans to start willow and red (japanese) maple from cuttings and was looking for some advice.

I've been told that willow cuttings root almost on their own and are very easy and manageable. I've also heard that japanese maple cuttings can be very aggravating, and the seeds are near impossible to germinate. Also I've heard that willows have rooting compounds within them, and can be made into a rooting friendly watering solution.

My plan is to take cuttings 5-10 cuttings from some willow trees, dip the ends in rooting compound (any suggestions? [clonex? hormex?]) then plant them in a germination box with heating pad. The same for the maples. I figure I'll take a branch or so of fresh willow and chop that up into a gallon of water or something and water the cuttings exclusively with this.

Any help on getting these bonsai's started right would be very helpful.

Side question, would this willow-water have any effect on watering germinating seeds? Also, does anyone know how well fruit trees bonsai? (banana, apple, peach)