The effect of L-2-aminooxy-3-phenylpropionic acid (AOPP) on bud formation was investigated by determination of total phenolics in explants and medium browning in the micropropagation of the epiphytic orchid Neofinetia falcata (Thunb.) H.H. Hu. Explants, upper portion of plantlets, were cultured on a medium containing 0, 0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 mM AOPP. Browning was decreased from 70% to 3% by increasing AOPP concentration up to 1.0 mM. All surviving explants developed buds at 0, 0.01 and 0.1 mM AOPP. The highest mean number of buds (7.2) was produced on medium containing 0.01 mM AOPP. Multiple buds were formed on the explants 8 weeks after planting and multiple shoots had developed after 12 weeks. Total phenolics continuously increased in control explants up to 2.03 mg·gFW −1 after 4 weeks. In contrast, in explants treated with 0.01 mM AOPP, total phenolics ceased to increase for 4 weeks of culture and remained at 1.46 mg·gFW −1 , but thereafter increased to 2.24 mg·gFW −1 , the same level as the control, after 8 weeks. Medium browning continuously increased in the control, whereas medium containing 0.01 mM AOPP showed little browning after 4 weeks of culture and thereafter increased to the same degree as the control. The present results suggest that 0.01 mM AOPP is the most suitable concentration to control browning and bud formation in N. falcata.