I usually take mine in the spring right before growth starts back up...like in March.
Since you have to leave the cutting in a dark dry place untill it calluses...the bottom cut part hardens over, when you go to plant it in a couple weeks it will be ready to grow...
If you cut now and let it callus and then pot in a month, it isn't realy going to have that burst of growth like in the spring...and then that makes the chances of the cutting rotting higher.
I have also cut to late in the spring g almost summer and it was already to warm and wet out and I had issues with rot that way as well.
Also when you make the cut be sure to cut threw the middle of where the spines come out. This will also help to promote growth out of that node as well. I use to have bases that never sprouted up new growth easily untill I discovered this.
Remember, if the women dont find you handsome.....they might as well find you handy.