In vitro propagation of Heliconia plants

New buds obtained by dark culture from the rhizomes of ten species or cultivars and hybrids of Heliconia were used as explants which were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2-10 mg L-1 BA and 0.2-1.0 mg L-1 NAA. The experiments showed that the explants could induce shoots and proliferate. Best result for rooting was observed on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 NAA plus 0.5% active carbon. The plantlets transferred to pots containing sand/turf mixture (1:1), or sand/perlite (1:1), or sand only, showed a survival rate more than 90%.