Seeds of six species of Babiana were germinated aseptically. Once germinated the seedlings were allowed to grow until 6 em in height and were then cut into pieces giving root, hypocotyl and leaf explants. These were placed on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 4.4 1-LM 6-benzylaminopurine and 5.3 1-LM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. After 2-3 weeks multiple shoot formation occurred on the hypocotyl portion. Maximum shooting occurred on medium containing 8.8 and 22.1 1-LM 6-benzylaminopurine and no

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... 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. Optimal rooting occurred on a hormone free medium. After rooting, plants from all species were hardened off in vermiculite or Genu lite in a mist house for 3-4 weeks. Plants were then transplanted into a soil and sand mix (1 :2 ratio). The plants were s uccessfully hardened-off and flowered 6-8 months later