Question
I have a Joseph's Coat and it was doing fine...about a month ago it was loaded with buds and they all wilted over.  I pruned them all back and applied a 2'n 1 Systemic... the plant had all new growth, very healthy, and buds galore... the top ones started opening and now are wilted as is the rest of the new buds?? just like a month ago, and... the partially opened buds were attacked by something that left black discards all over the leaves... just wondered if you ever ran across this ... I have other roses that it doesn't seem to affect. I live in the FL panhandle... but don't think that matters, but it could...thanks for your help

Answer
Quite a few things cause buds to wilt but the black specks could be aphids. The aphids suck on the soft new buds and then excrete a sticky residue. The residue acts as a base for fungus spores which will turn a black when they become mold. It would appear that your spray would solve any insect problems, but I would still check for aphids. Getting rid of aphids is easy, simply use a hose and wash your rose down and they will fall off. Because they are weak it isn't easy for them to get back on the rose again and by that time the birds have eaten them as they think they are candy.