Question
We planted a rose bush early this spring, and it had big-beautiful peach colored roses when we planted it. Two months later it still blooms, however, the roses look like miniature roses instead of the big blooms it had before. We used a Bayer product that provides fertilizer and insect protection, and the instructions not to reapply for six weeks. I feel this poor rose bush needs some nutrients, what do you suggest? Thanks for your advice!

Answer
The main reason a rose will make smaller blooms is to save itself from lack of water and the other reason is that it is under stress from a high heat. Roses make their best blooms when the temperatures are springlike then if they get high heat quickly, they re-act by shutting down and that is when you get small and not so double flowers. Fertilizer and high heat don't go together as the roots also shut down and won't take the fertilizer up. I would just water it well and give it a rest and when it has got used to the difference in the weather, it will produce large blooms again.