How did the Japanese create the first Blue Rose?

The blue rose has always been a symbol of the impossible — an icon of mystery and desire. But does it really exist? And if it does, how was it created? The answer involves a good dose of science, persistence, and a touch of creativity.

For centuries, florists and botanists have tried to obtain a true blue rose. But the genetics of the rose simply did not help. All they could achieve were lavender, lilac, or grayish tones, resulting from crossbreeding and mutations that reduced the red pigment in the petals. Most of these “blue roses” ended up looking more like a faded light pink than an actual blue. Until the Japanese decided to go further.

Genetics behind the first blue rose

The real breakthrough came in 2004, when Japanese scientists from Suntory, in partnership with Australian researchers, achieved something unprecedented: inserting a gene responsible for the production of delphinidin, the blue pigment found naturally in flowers like petunias and violets, into roses.

But it wasn’t enough to just add the gene. They also needed to silence other genetic pathways that produced red and yellow pigments, which would neutralize the blue tone. It was a fine-tuning job, involving RNAi (RNA interference) and years of experimentation. The result was the variety called Applause, launched in Japan in 2009: a rose with a blue-violet hue never before seen in nature.

Applause – official launch in Japan

The launch of the Applause rose was treated as a milestone in Japanese biotechnology. Officially presented during Culture Day, it was sold at prices well above average: between 2,000 and 3,000 yen per stem (about $20 to $30). The flower, with delicate petals and a soft bluish tone, quickly gained international attention.

But it’s important to be honest: it is not a pure blue, like that of paint or a summer sky. The color varies between lavender and grayish blue, depending on the lighting and the pH of the flower. Still, it was the closest science has come to a real, stable, and living blue rose.

How to make a blue rose with dye

Not everyone has access to genetic engineering, but there is a simple trick to create your own blue rose at home — with water and food coloring. Of course, the blue will only be absorbed by the plant, not produced by it. Still, the effect is beautiful and eye-catching.

You will need:

• 1 freshly cut white rose (the fresher, the better)
• 1 glass of water
• Blue food coloring (liquid or gel)

Step by step:

1. Fill a glass with water and add 10 to 15 drops of blue dye.
2. Cut the stem of the rose diagonally, under running water (this improves absorption).
3. Place the rose in the glass with blue water.
4. Wait for 24 to 48 hours.

Over time, you will see the petals start to change color. The plant pulls the colored water through the stem’s vessels, and the blue gradually spreads through the petals. The result is an artificially dyed rose, but with a quite convincing appearance.

Those who watched the anime “Diary of an Apothecary” may have remembered the episode where Maomao changes the color of plants using a type of dye. It is an ancient trick, but quite interesting.