Question
GREETINGS,
  MY BROTHER IN THE LAKE PLACID AREA OF N.Y. PLANTED A ROSE BUSH AND HAS NOTICED THAT THE BUDS HAVE STARTED TO TURN DARK, DRY UP, AND DROP OFF BEFORE BLOOMING. ANY IDEAS... I RAISE ROSES IN VIRGINIA, BUT ALWAYS STAY AHEAD WITH INSECT AND FUNGUS TREATMENTS. I HAVEN'T ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM...
   THANK YOU,

   ALAN, VIRGINIA

Answer
Your brother has Rose Midges in his roses. They lay the eggs at the base of the rose buds and when the small ones hatch, they feed on the buds and kill them. He needs to use a soil insecticide as rose midges spend most of their time in the centre of the buds and a spray won't get to them plus the adults spend most of their time, after laying their eggs, in the soil at the base of the rose bush. So any insecticide that is sprayed all around the base of the rose bush will solve the problem. He should also keep an eye out for them next year.