An efficient procedure is outlined for rapid and mass in vitro propagation of an orchid, Dendrobium
draconis Rchb. f. through in vitro culture of thin cross-sections (TCSs) derived from young stems. The TCS
explants were excised along the stem from the base to shoot tip of 6-month-old plantlets and cultured on
Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 20 g/l sucrose and different concentrations of
N6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kn) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), either individually or in
combination. Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) were directly induced from the TCS explants and completely
developed into shoots within 6–7 weeks. The optimal growth regulators combination for maximal PLB
development was 2 mg/l BA and 1.0 mg/l NAA, giving rise to 68% of responding explants with an average
11 PLBs per explant. Shoot development was best achieved on MS medium containing sucrose and
coconut water. Plantlets, 6–8 cm height were transplanted into coconut husk peat with 92% survival rate
in a nursery.