Abstract: The tender buds of Rhododendron schlippenbachii Maxim. were used as explants in the experiment. Uniform Design was used-for screening the most suitable culture medium for shoots regeneration immediately at base of tender buds, rooting and in vitro germplasm preservation. The results showed that DR+2-ip3.00 mg·L^-1 was the most suitable for shoots regeneration, the rate of regeneration was more than 95.5%; MS(modified)+IAA0.50 mg·L^-1+IBA0.10 mg·L^-1+KT0.10 mg·L^-1 for rooting, the rate of rooting was more than 99%; N-68+B₉ 2.30 mg·L^-1+phloridzin 1.50 mg·L^-1 for germplasm preservation in vitro for 30 months. Stems each with one node were cut from regenerated shoots and cultured for propagation, and a 65-fold proliferation rate was achieved within 28 days. The method of “defering growth with dwarfing” was utilized for in vitro germplasm peservation at normal temperature. In vitro culture and in vitro germplasm peservation system of R. schlippenbachii Maxim. has been successfully established.

Key words: Rhododendron schlippenbachii Maxim., in vitro rapid propagation, in vitro peservation, uniform design, phloridzin