Question
I have  about 98 rose plants 18 are hybrid tea this year I have noticed that I
am losing 5 plants the leaves never really came out only scraggely leaves and
the buds that form turn a dark color and look smashed on top and like they
have wax on them.

Answer
Your description of poor leaves and whithered buds, tells me that the growth only came from the moisture that was left in the dying canes. Even dead roses will produce poor growth from what is left in the canes. because the roses are dead then it can be two things. If the roses were new then I would blame the nursery you bought them from. The other is something in the soil has cause the rose bushes to die. I would check one of the roses roots to see what they look like. If they are black, then again, they could have been nearly dead when you bought it or again it is the soil especially if they are planted near each other. If not then roots sitting in too much water will kill a rose also fertilizer planted in the hole with the roots will burn and kill the roots. Also when you look at the roots check to see if anything, such as grubs, are eating them. It is hard to be accurate when I can't see the rose bush but I hope this helps.