Traditionally, blue roses have been an imaginative beauty, a uniquely-colored rose that cannot be found in the natural world. Always mysterious as the Victorians suggested, a true, blue rose has never existed and perhaps that's why they also represent a never-ending quest for the impossible. Florigene, the Australian-based company who gave customers the Florigene Moonseries carnations in a lovely array of purples and mauves, has been trying to develop a blue rose for years (Stewart 41). Because roses lack delphindin, the pigment that produces blue petal colors, they cannot exist naturally. However, they can be genetically modified, which is what Florigene has been trying to accomplish for the past 26 years.
In 1986, Calgene Pacific Pty Ltd. was founded in Melbourne, Australia, changing its name to Florigene in 1994 after aquiring assests of the namesake competitor in Holland ("Florigene"). As stated on Florigene's website, Florgene "uses genetic modifcation technology to bridge genetic gaps and rapidly deliver valuable improvements to flower species. The improvements to flowers, whether in shape, colour, vase life, disease resistance or other characteristics-have historically been achieved by cross-breeding existing varieties." They are, in fact, the world's first molecular breeder of flowers. One of the original missions of the company was to create the first blue rose through genetic modification. Suntory Limited, a Japanese partner company of Florigene, successfully isolated the blue gene from a petunia flower in 1991. Florigene became primarily interested in implanting the blue gene into flowers that lack it: roses, carnations, gerbera daisies, and chrysanthamums ("Florigene"). Florigene was first successful in implimenting the blue gene into carnations, thus developing the first transgenic flowers for sale: the "Moonseries" carnations (Stewart 41).
In 1986, Calgene Pacific Pty Ltd. was founded in Melbourne, Australia, changing its name to Florigene in 1994 after aquiring assests of the namesake competitor in Holland ("Florigene"). As stated on Florigene's website, Florgene "uses genetic modifcation technology to bridge genetic gaps and rapidly deliver valuable improvements to flower species. The improvements to flowers, whether in shape, colour, vase life, disease resistance or other characteristics-have historically been achieved by cross-breeding existing varieties." They are, in fact, the world's first molecular breeder of flowers. One of the original missions of the company was to create the first blue rose through genetic modification. Suntory Limited, a Japanese partner company of Florigene, successfully isolated the blue gene from a petunia flower in 1991. Florigene became primarily interested in implanting the blue gene into flowers that lack it: roses, carnations, gerbera daisies, and chrysanthamums ("Florigene"). Florigene was first successful in implimenting the blue gene into carnations, thus developing the first transgenic flowers for sale: the "Moonseries" carnations (Stewart 41).
In 2004, Florigene announced the development of a "novel color" rose in the blue scheme, and has since developed one. Although it has been described as more lilac in color, Florigene's website has stated a "novel color" rose is scheduled for marketing in 2-3 years, but so far, it seems as if the color scheme may be more closely related to the "Moonseries" carnations of mauves and purples.
For more information on Florigene, please visit their website at www.florigene.com.
