The roses are red, and John van Delft is far from blue.
The Mosgiel rose grower says it has been a bumper crop this year and he has just finished picking, processing and packing 95,000 for this year's Valentine's Day rush, which will culminate with the big day on Saturday.
''That's a lot of joy on Dunedin people's faces. It's nice to be able to bring some sunshine into people's lives.''
The roses have been growing at the Greenhouse Nursery since Christmas, and he and several staff have been up at dawn for the past two weeks, cutting the roses before the day heats up too much.
Staff had been working 70-hour weeks for the past fortnight.
''We're usually finished cutting by about 10am. Then we put them through the conditioning process and the next day they are bunched and sent off to the florists.''
Fortunately, it is not something Mr van Delft and his staff have to do all year round.
But Psychology Associates Ltd clinical psychologist Tara Clark said it would be good if they did.
She says people should buy roses for their partners regularly, rather than just once a year.
''I think those regular kind of loving behaviours are much more effective if you want a relationship to be successful.
''It builds the bond and attachment and security in a relationship much better than those one-off events.''
However, her relationship advice came with a caveat.
She said novelty, excitement and surprise were important because they caused the release of a hormone called dopamine.
''If you did buy your partner flowers every day, that would probably not be such a good thing after a while.
''You should have some fun with the way you deliver the flowers - anything that is novel and interesting.
''I heard of a person once who left a love message for their partner using Scrabble letters.
''You just need to be a bit thoughtful about it.''
Mrs Clark said people were often more excited in the beginning phase of a relationship because of the dopamine release, and also because people put more thought and time into relationships at the start.
''Valentine's Day is a good opportunity to be thoughtful again, and perhaps remind us about the importance of making a fuss again.''
Roses
• Roses like dirty air rather than clean air. That's why they grow better in places like London.
• Red roses are for love, yellow roses are for lost love - don't mix them up on Valentine's Day.
• Fragrant roses don't last as long as unscented roses.
• Roses given flower food or conditioners, kept in a cool place, and with water changed regularly will last up to two weeks.
• Most New Zealand Valentine's Day roses are imported from India and South America.
