You snip a healthy stem from a pothos plant, cutting just below a leaf node to get a piece about six inches long with several leaves. You fill a clear glass jar with room-temperature water and place the stem inside, then position the jar on a bright windowsill.
Immediately after, the stem submerges partially in the water. The leaves stay green and perky, the water remains clear, and the bottom of the stem shows no difference. No roots or changes appear right away.
Days turn into a week, then two. Each time you glance at the jar, the setup looks identical. The stem holds steady, leaves unchanged, water undisturbed. Up to three weeks pass with the scene staying the same.
Then, one day you notice slender white roots extending from the base of the stem into the water. These roots, which formed out of view, now stretch visibly.
Placing the cutting in water began the process. For weeks, no outcome showed itself. Time passed before the roots made their appearance, bridging the gap between action and what could be seen.