| Roses are red. Yellow. Pink. White and even Orange. | | | | Thanks to the industrious collaboration of Suntory, a |
| But have you ever heard of blue roses!? No. That's | | | | Japanese Distiller and Australian Biotechnology firm |
| because they don't just exist. Indeed, it would have | | | | Florigene, a subsidiary of Suntory, they could be a |
| made a great addition to the incredible beauty of the | | | | commercial reality. |
| rose family. In fact, it will. Advancement in | | | | The quest for producing them has been a holy grail |
| biotechnology research has made growing them a | | | | to rose breeders for many years. Although, it is |
| reality. You could probably be sending a bunch to | | | | possible to buy blue roses in the market, these |
| your special some one for Valentine's Day, Birthday, | | | | flowers don't just exist in nature. Often, it is a bunch |
| Wedding Anniversary, Engagement or for those | | | | of white roses which are dyed to achieve the special |
| special romantic occasions soon! | | | | blue color. But think about the environmental impact |
| Rose for long has been an epitome of love and | | | | of buying dyed roses rather than fresh flowers. |
| beauty. It is an extraordinary flower of delicate grace | | | | Nevertheless, rapid progress in the field of |
| and enchantment. Roses have so many different | | | | biotechnology has helped researchers from Suntory |
| shades and each of these shades symbolises specific | | | | and Florigene to genetically modify the gene of an |
| meanings. While red roses signify romance, white | | | | enzyme called "delphinidin" which is found to be |
| roses are for innocence and purity, pink is for | | | | missing in roses. Florigene has managed to infuse this |
| happiness and joy, orange suggests passion and | | | | particular enzyme to the rose plant, thereby growing |
| enthusiasm and yellow is for friendship. Now what | | | | 100 percent fresh blue roses. |
| does this particular colour stand for? | | | | With a bloom available to celebrate every emotion, it |
| Apparently, as with the enigma associated with | | | | probably explains roses' giant market share of $10 |
| growing the flower, it stands for mystery!!! But the | | | | billion a year in the fresh-cut flower industry. Now the |
| real mystery is will there ever be blue roses in the | | | | newer addition of blue roses, might just fuel up the |
| bouquets you send out to your loved ones? Probably! | | | | market share to soar to further high levels. |