Hi.
Last time I was on the net I found a link to Teos_small_book_of_grafting_ca.pdf, http://dc581.2shared.com/download/0FSf4NL9/Teos_small_book_of_grafting_ca.pdf?tsid=20150816-111931-603dcc71.
In it the author mentions cutting off a small stem section with attached leaf. Not quite what I had in mind but close to it.
The download is well worth getting. There are a couple of Photos of his technique in the file.
When you tried did you use an hormone? If so which hormone did you try? I have found some data on where IBA at 10gms/liter, was used to speed up rooting for Hylocereus species.
Cheers