Abstract: To conserve the germplasm resources of precious ancient Chinese roses and achieve their efficient propagation, stem segments with axillary buds of Yueyuehong（Rosa chinensis‘Slater’s Crimson China’） Chilonghanzhu were used as explants to systematically optimize each key stage of tissue culture. The results showed that the optimal sterilization protocol for the explants was treatment with 75% ethanol for 30 s followed by immersion in 5% sodium hypochlorite for 15 min, resulting in a contamination rate of 13%, a browning rate of 3.3%, and a high axillary bud induction rate of 83.3%. The most suitable medium for subculture and proliferation was MS + 1.00 mg/L 6-BA + 0.50 mg/L NAA, which produced shoots length of 5.3 cm, a proliferation coefficient of 5.5, and the shoots were robust with broad leaves. The optimal rooting medium was 1/2MS + 0.50 mg/L IBA, achieving a rooting rate of 95%, with an average of 13.0 roots per plant, an average root length of 2.9 cm, and the root systems were vigorous. After acclimatization, the plantlets were transplanted into a substrate mixture of vermiculite, perlite, and nutrient soil in a mass ratio of 1∶1∶3 and survived well, indicating the successful establishment of an efficient and stable tissue culture and rapid propagation system for Chilonghanzhu.

Key words: ancient Chinese rose, Yueyuehong（Rosa chinensis‘Slater’s Crimson China’）, Chilonghanzhu, tissue culture system, rapid propagation technology