The in vitro rooted plantlets and the auxin treated shoots were
hardened by a two step method. In the first stage, the plantlets
were kept in the greenhouse for 2–3 weeks in capped glass bottles
containing autoclaved soilrite moistened with 1/4
strength MS salts. The plantlets were gradually exposed to
the greenhouse conditions by loosening and removing the caps.
In the second stage, the plantlets were transferred to the nursery
polybags containing a mixture of sand, soilrite, organic
manure and black soil in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. The successful hardened
plantlets of P. foetida were transferred to the nursery.