Question
I recently planted 2 new rose bushes that were already displaying a large number of buds.  Within a week, all the buds suddenly disappeared.  The plants appear healthy and after a while a 2nd growth of buds appeared and seemed promising but those buds too disappeared suddenly.  I have never had this kind of a problem before and can't see any signs of any insect infestations. I live in FL and have never heard of any birds or animals that attack or eat roses.  Can you suggest what might be causing this?

Not sure if this could be related but I have had the same problem on a hibiscus plant I bought last summer - the buds get close to being ready to open and then seem to fall / be cut / be broken off.

Answer
Rose buds are very sweet and tasty and rodents love them. Squirrels, rabbits, mice all nip them off. Deer will eat them too but they also eat the leaves so it is obvious when they do it. It is an animal that is eating your rose buds because as you have said, you would have seen the insects, but insects will chew on the buds. Caterpillars will eat about half of the bud and leave smooth edges, beetles will also eat about half but leave a hole around the base. If the buds are cut off clean, then it is always an animal. If you have any Windex in the house, spray that around the base of the rose which has buds on it and see what happens. These small rose bud eating creatures, don't like the smell. It does have to be replaced if it rains. Check also to see if there are any droppings from the animals or even paw prints.