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blooms on my rose bushes have failed to open but have remained on the plant as a part-opened bud. The petals have also gone noticeably dry and turned brown. What’s the cause? Pauline Dearing, via email

condition is known as rose balling. It usually happens when damp weather persists followed by dry, sunny spells causing the buds to rot off. The plant’s health will not be affected. Smply cut out the affected blooms – but act before any secondary infection such as grey mould sets in.