rooting tips

hello i’m having a hard time rooting some gymnos, they came with a dry ugly root. they go back and forth from soft to not soft and idk what to do. i have tried googling but its really confusing lol. do i water, do i not water, i assumed not water but these things will not root. idk if i’m being impatient too, pls help i’m new to cactus lol thank you.