This is the year I took special care of the rose bushes. I planted a new one
(from David Austin) and gave the old ones some nice manure and rose food and
cedar bark mulch, and I pruned them when the forsythia bloomed just like I was
supposed to. I've been watching them from a distance (across the yard as
opposed to looking at each leaf close-up) and have been delighted to see the
little flecks of color in buds forming.

Today I went out with scissors to cut my first rose buds and saw... holes in
many of the tiniest buds as though something had drilled through them. Turning
to my trusty paperback on roses, I see that something called budworm or other
caterpillars can cause the problem. It even says that it is often a late spring
problem, and since June 15 qualifies as late spring, I think that might be it.
Other diagnoses of the problem are welcome. My book tells me to cut out the
infested buds and leaves and apply Sevin. I'm hoping for more advice from the
experts.

Should I treat all the bushes? They're all different kinds, some hybrid teas,
some climbers, some Old English, about 7 in all.

Why this year instead of any other? Is the bug associated with the especially
cold winter we had in New England, or is just luck?

I know this is a stupid question, but when it says to apply acephate or diazinon
at first sign of damage, what do they mean by apply? Do I sprinkle the poison
all over the whole bush? Spray? Just try to get the bud area?

Another question: When we moved here there was a rose bush planted by the old
lady who lived here before us. I don't know its name, but it's a lovely and
standard looking pink rose. Last year the blooms were so pretty that people
were stopping in their cars to admire it. Like I said, I did everything right
that I know of, but this year it is nearly dead. It does have some new growth
at the base, but the larger canes have no leaves on them at all. I'd be very
sorry to think that I killed the special rose belonging to the previous owner.

What might I have done wrong?

Or was it just the cold winter?

Should I prune back the canes that have no new growth on them? I did prune in
early spring to the nice oval shape, but now it's only a few leaves at the base.

Why just this rose bush? It is on the end of a line of bushes growing near a
chain link fence so it gets a little more shade than the others, but it still
gets plenty of sun. I can't think of anything especially different about it. I
suppose it is older than the others too.

TIA

--Lia