Ml_work

I have posted already about some free trees I got, all about 1 year old. The 4 cypress were too tall for my taste, so I cut off about 8" from the top of each. Leaving a good 10" to 12" tree. (which really looks like a stick in a pot) So far all are doing really good. Small buds appear on the trunk of each and some leaves have bloomed also. The top part that I cut was tree size itself, just could not throw them away. Placed them in a plastic pan of water just to see what they may do. Forgot all about them, looked today and they have leaves and buds on the trunk, almost as much as the potted ones. I do not see any type of root hairs coming off them at the bottom. Should I leave them in the water...??...or put them in a pot with soil?
Thanks,
ML