Different size (5/6, 6/7, 7/8 and 8/9 cm circumference) of initial bulbs were chipped longitudinally into four equal-sized segments. The bulbil formation and length on the chips after the incubation in perlite at 20degreesC for 12 weeks were measured. The propagation ratio and the percentage of saleable bulbs were determined after one year growing cycle. The results showed that initial bulb size is critical for rapid propagation of Galanthus elwesii by chipping technique. After incubation, the bulbil formation on the chips was between 91.6% and 97.5%. Mean bulbil length on the chips varied from 6.6 mm for the smallest bulbs to 8.6 mm for the largest bulbs. Initial bulb size significantly affected the bulb propagation ratio and harvested bulb size. After one growing season, the number of bulbs obtained per initial bulb varied from 2.6 for 5/6 cm circumference to 5.7 for 8/9 cm bulbs. The ratios of harvested bulbs with a saleable size (larger than 4 cm) for 5/6, 6/7, 7/8 and 8/9 cm circumference were 4%, 36%, 59% and 84%, respectively.
