The leafy shoots were subcultured on ½ MS medium with 2 g l-1 peptone, 2% (w/v) sucrose, 10% CW and 1 g l-1 activated charcoal, upon which 100% explants developed into plantlets with stout roots within 8 weeks. The addition of 2.5 gl-1 banana pulp powder in the medium enhanced the growth and number of roots (Table III, Fig. 1D), as it is especially
promotive for growth in orchid culture (Pierik 1987). Other researchers obtained plantlets from PLBs in modified Hyponex medium (Kano 1965) along with 2 g l-1 peptone, 3% sucrose, 0.05% activated charcoal and 3% (w/v) potato homogenate (Park et al. 2002).