A plant micropropagation apparatus and process is provided in which a support platform for vessels containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel. The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture.