Stage O

Stage O was originally conceived to improve
the hygenic condition of the mother plants.
By avoiding overhead irrigation cleaner
explants can be harvested. Also thermotherapy
can be used.

Drip-irrigation of
the mother plant

It also allows for the physiological status
of the mother plant to improve, so that the explants
are more amenable to initiate cultures.

The physiological status of the source of
explants can be improved by several techniques:

Pruning: release
of apical dominance

Forcing solutions:
contains GA’s,
cytokinine,
hydroxyquinoleine...

Etiolation

Injection of
cytokinin

Cascade grafting