Question
I live in charlotte NC have tea roses in a planter. planted last spring 08 had abondant flower last year. this year a lot of yellow leaves and the bud start to open then the outer peddles start to die and the bulb open but looks very weak. I fertilized with Miracle Grow Rose this spring

Linda Johannssen

Answer
Two things could be happening here. One is that your roses took a hit over the winter. When roses get frosted they go into stress and will look poor in the spring and have a had time starting up into growth. If they have got frozen and parts of their canes have died, then that will also make them act the way you describe. If this is the problem give them a little more time and they should start to put out normal growth for you.
Your roses also could have  have got Rose Midges in them. The eggs are laid at the base of the buds and when they hatch they eat the flower bud which makes the bud as well as the flower weak. Open up a bud and see if you can find any tiny little insects in them. If you do see any, then use Ortho's Flower and Insect Killer Spray. Just follow the directions on the package.