In vitro propagation of Phalaenopsis via culture of cytokinin-induced nodes

A new procedure for in vitro propagation of orchids belonging to the genus Phalaenopsis was developed. In contrast to commonly employed propagation methods that make use of leaf, root, or shoot tip tissues, we have used elongated stems of 6-benzyladenine-induced young seedlings as starting material for propagation. The elongated stem consisted of several nodes of which top nodes were used for cyclic propagation of new explants and the middle nodes for producing shoots or multiple adventitious buds. The whole procedure of proliferation could be completed within 7 months, and about 2,300 plantlets were produced from a single induced stem in a single year. This method may be used for propagation of seedlings in the case of lack of seeds in orchid breeding or for propagation of vegetative buds developed on flower stalks of rare orchid varieties when available flower stalks are limited. It may also have great potential for the propagation of wild threatened orchid species.Abbreviations PLB(s) protocorm-like body(ies) - zeatin 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-trans-2-enylamino)purine - 2ip 6-(,-dimethylallylamino)purine - kinetin 6-furfurylaminopurine - BA 6-benzyladenine