Question
My roses put out many buds, and start to open, but then get shriveled up and won't open.  Please help.  I live in San Diego, CA

Answer
There is a little insect called a rose midge which lays it's eggs at the base of the rose buds in the early spring. The eggs hatch and the worms then feed on the buds. This causes them to not open properly or to dry up and die. If you look carefully at the base of a rose bud, and if this is the problem, you will see a tiny pin hole. Any rose insecticide will solve your problem. The other cause, and I don't think it applies in your area, is that you got a nasty frost when the buds were developing. A frost will kill the buds and so they won't open.