A tissue culture method for the rapid propagation of potatoes was studied using 38 varieties. At least 50 plantlets were regenerated in vitro, in a sequential procedure, from a single isolated shoot tip. Rapid proliferation of shoots was enhanced by shake culture of previously differentiated organogenic cultures. These shoots in turn were used to regenerate complete plantlets by the culture of nodal sections in vitro. Culture initiation was more dependent on the variety than culture proliferation. The culture media contained the Murashige-Skoog basal components supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine, gibberellic acid and naphthalene acetic acid. The system described, whereby high propagation rates can be achieved, was referred to as "multi-meristem" culture in contrast to the 1:1 rate normally obtained by the conventional, "single-meristem" culture. Evaluations of varietal stability, using both biochemical and morphological criteria showed no detectable changes due to the in vitro procedures. It is proposed to utilize the "multi-meristem" propagation technique for the conservation and international distribution of valuable clonal germplasm. © 1978 Springer.