"The Giving Tree"- I think I cut my clones wrong

I took two clones off my medusa plant last night in hopes to clone her at least four times before I get her started on 12/12. when she was small (she showed her sex early) I topped her, and she grew two big stems out of where only one grew before. I took the clones off of the top of these stems, now the plant is much less impressive. I immediately regretted it, because the stems on top are hollow and I feel like it will get infected now or something. I really hope those clones work out so I didn't do this for nothing. What is the best spot to take clones from, not only for the best success rate of clones, but also to do minimal damage to the mother plant?

The pics show the stem in question, cut above a node with a fan leaf coming from it. The last pic is the 2 clones in a cooler with wrap over it. They are in peat pots with a very shallow layer of water in the cooler. I have been keeping a reflector plate over half the cooler, and I am going to let more light in as time goes on. I really want these ladys to root. any advice/ comments would be appreciated.

more pics, side angle. I am also wondering if that aluminum sheeting is a good reflector. I want some mylar but am not sure where to purchase.

looks ok to me, don't worry about an infection, the plant can take alot more abuse than that and it will be just fine. Clones take up to 2 weeks to root out, they may yellow and die off some, but generally if given rooting hormone they will root.

aerocloners work faster
mylar can be found at any hardwarestore or construction site trashbin
also the poor man can go to walmart and get a survivul blanket works good too

clones should be taken from the bottom of the plant but its all good ive root full buds with stock

much appreciated. Will note the bottom of tree cloning for next time.