Question
my rose bush is roughly 35yrs+ in age. They are in a clay soil.I feed and water them regularly but they still burn before they open. why? can you help.

Answer
Fertilizing water stressed plants in the extreme heat causes leaf burn and bud burn.  Temperatures of 70 - 80 degrees are optimum for fertilizing, as nutrients are then most available to the plants. Try not fertilizing the roses at all. Roses really only need a couple of feedings, first in the spring and then after the first flush. When you are kind and give them a lot of food, the rose makes new soft growth which in full sun will definitely burn. Try being mean and I think you will see a difference and your roses will bloom. Hope this helps.