My meyer lemon tree dropped all of its leaves before I brought it in for the winter. I really don't know why. They did not turn yellow, but just started to drop off. I had planned on pruning it since the branches are getting long and are thin. I want to propagate the cuttings but was wondering if the absence of leaves would cause complete failure or just miniminze successful rooting. Any thoughts?

The absence of all leaves will minimizes successful rooting. However, I have rooted cuttings without leaves. I would wrap the cuttings with budding tape (except for the part stuck in the medium) to retard moisture loss. Some time back Joe Real had a post, probably in this Propagating form, showing this method. Good luck. - Millet (1,082-)

I know from personal experience how one can become obsessive with saving a special cutting. I have learned that no matter what is done, ultimately the making or breaking is within the cutting itself.

I have learned to do my cuttings with benign disinterest. I do my part; the rest is up to the cutting.

Here is a photo of 26 cuttings that I potted out this week. They are well rooted but only a couple are actively growing. (no bottom heat) I did the usual treatise: 4 nodes, dipped in cloning gel, struck cuttings, placed in tray and slipped into a clear bag and tied it close. They took about 6 weeks. There are about 12 that are not yet rooted but callused remaining in the bag.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/439/citcuttings.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/5655/citruscuttings13010.jpg

Now, take a look at this Meyer lemon cutting. I didn't have room for it in the tray, so I just stuck it in a pot. I turned a baggie over it....leaves fell off, but it is well rooted; three roots about 3 inches long.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7372/meyernoleaves3.jpg

Here is a cup with several Calamondin and Minneola cuttings. I really mistreated them......they weren't dipped or covered.....and now the roots are visible at the bottom of the cup. A good tug on each cutting tells me they are ready to pot up.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2039/calaminnnoleaves.jpg

I have had success with cuttings with no leaves. I think the key to rooting leafless cuttings is the patience to wait a little longer for rooting to take place. When I take the Minneola and Calamondin cuttings out to pot up, I will take a photo and post it here so you will have your proof.

Like Millet said, it can be done; I don't even wrap them like JoeReal does.
I did turn a baggie over the Meyer cutting, but I didn't even bother with the Calamondin & Minneola cuttings, and both ways worked.

Personally, I do like to give them the best start possible and that is with there being leaves on them.