Question
This is an older Jackson and Perkins rose bush (Mr. Lincoln) and my buds are plentiful but the are turning black before blooming? Not enough water? They get plenty of sunlight.

Answer
If buds turn black it is usually an insect that is causing it. The rose midge lays it's eggs at the base of a flower bud and when they hatch they eat and damage the buds. If there is a tiny hole at the base of the bud then that is the insect that is doing it. The other cause could be that the buds were killed during a frost in the early or late spring. Mr. Lincoln is not known as a very hardy rose and could easily be damaged by a cold snap.