This story I found in the Telegraphs on-line news pages.
It's been posted by their Toyko correspondant.
My love is like a blue, blue rose
Love-struck Japanese will be able to celebrate St Valentine's Day with blue roses next year after a whisky company perfected the unique blooms.
Suntory Ltd, more famous as the distiller of the Yamazaki brand of whisky, is presently growing test batches of the genetically-modified blue roses in Australia, but plans to start marketing them in Japan in 2009.
It took Suntory scientists 14 years to develop the blue rose, which is likely to fetch a premium price. "Experts said it was impossible to make a blue rose, which is why we went ahead and did it," said company spokesman Atsuhito Osaka "We wanted to rise to that challenge."
They were able to create the flower's distinctive colour by identifying the gene that leads to the synthesis of the blue pigment Delphinidin in pansies & iris's, and transplanting that into a rose. No blue pigments occur naturally in roses.
It's been posted by their Toyko correspondant.
My love is like a blue, blue rose
Love-struck Japanese will be able to celebrate St Valentine's Day with blue roses next year after a whisky company perfected the unique blooms.
Suntory Ltd, more famous as the distiller of the Yamazaki brand of whisky, is presently growing test batches of the genetically-modified blue roses in Australia, but plans to start marketing them in Japan in 2009.
It took Suntory scientists 14 years to develop the blue rose, which is likely to fetch a premium price. "Experts said it was impossible to make a blue rose, which is why we went ahead and did it," said company spokesman Atsuhito Osaka "We wanted to rise to that challenge."
They were able to create the flower's distinctive colour by identifying the gene that leads to the synthesis of the blue pigment Delphinidin in pansies & iris's, and transplanting that into a rose. No blue pigments occur naturally in roses.
Examples of the roses on display in Tokyo on Monday, displayed a soft mauve tint that the scientists say is just the starting point for what will be a variety of bluish shades. The 'blue' rose, as yet un-named, is to be aimed @ people in the higher income bracket, looking for something different for that special occasion.
A while back, I found a web-site for a company called the Blue Rose Florist, based in Toronto. They mention the Japanese project to create a 'genuine' blue rose. But, in the meantime, they're creating their own, 'Blue Rose Exclusives'. Cut white rose buds are cultivated in a blue solution for a short period so that the blue colour can grow into the petals as well as the leaves & stems.
This technique produces a very deep colouration.
I've seen the results, it's very artificial...
They are even too blue for me!!!I'll prefer a true blue one, if, I'm lucky enough to be ever given one.
"Blue roses will blossom in the snow,
Before I ever let you go.
Blue roses will grow up to the sky,
Before I ever make you cry."
Paddy McAloon -English singer/songwriter
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Comments Recieved:-
Mack said...
Wow Blue,Those are really blue!My mom has found a rose called the "blue girl" and while it's not a true blue and certainly not anything like what you found, they are still sortof bluish and very pretty too!
February 5, 2008 5:27 PM
Maggie & Mitch said...
How pretty! Mom loves blue flowers in the garden too but a blue rose??!!Love ya lots,Maggie and Mitch
February 5, 2008 5:57 PM
Queen of Halloween said...
What's next...black ones? I prefer yellow roses and relate the red ones for funereals. The mauve ones do look pretty but so anyone could make lots of money off them seems unfair to me. I guess it keeps the flower growers in business? QoH
February 5, 2008 6:12 PM
Nick said...
Hi Blue,Sue and Sarah have started blogging - http://ladies-with-bottle.blogspot.com - and have found a wine made for dogs! (It's not alcoholic and is made from chicken and beef broth). Have a look!Can I give them a link to your blog on Blue Roses please? They are covering all sorts - wine in fashion and cosmetics, new drinks and gossip (and driving me bananas with lots of "how do you do this?" etc!)CheersNick
February 6, 2008 2:24 PM
Jeannie said...
oh my, I just love the poem at the end. Paddy McAloon,he of the band Prefab Sprout. I like their music, and I love those words.J xxxxx
February 6, 2008 4:25 PM
Katherine and Pippa, said...
I thought blue roses had been around for ages.When I was a kid we had Blue Moon in the garden.
February 6, 2008 9:36 PM
Comment deleted
This post has been removed by the author.
February 6, 2008 9:36 PM
Agatha and Archie said...
That is VERY blue...We still like pink and red and yellow Love A+A
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Comments Recieved:-
Mack said...
Wow Blue,Those are really blue!My mom has found a rose called the "blue girl" and while it's not a true blue and certainly not anything like what you found, they are still sortof bluish and very pretty too!
February 5, 2008 5:27 PM
Maggie & Mitch said...
How pretty! Mom loves blue flowers in the garden too but a blue rose??!!Love ya lots,Maggie and Mitch
February 5, 2008 5:57 PM
Queen of Halloween said...
What's next...black ones? I prefer yellow roses and relate the red ones for funereals. The mauve ones do look pretty but so anyone could make lots of money off them seems unfair to me. I guess it keeps the flower growers in business? QoH
February 5, 2008 6:12 PM
Nick said...
Hi Blue,Sue and Sarah have started blogging - http://ladies-with-bottle.blogspot.com - and have found a wine made for dogs! (It's not alcoholic and is made from chicken and beef broth). Have a look!Can I give them a link to your blog on Blue Roses please? They are covering all sorts - wine in fashion and cosmetics, new drinks and gossip (and driving me bananas with lots of "how do you do this?" etc!)CheersNick
February 6, 2008 2:24 PM
Jeannie said...
oh my, I just love the poem at the end. Paddy McAloon,he of the band Prefab Sprout. I like their music, and I love those words.J xxxxx
February 6, 2008 4:25 PM
Katherine and Pippa, said...
I thought blue roses had been around for ages.When I was a kid we had Blue Moon in the garden.
February 6, 2008 9:36 PM
Comment deleted
This post has been removed by the author.
February 6, 2008 9:36 PM
Agatha and Archie said...
That is VERY blue...We still like pink and red and yellow Love A+A
