My plants look healthy but the blooms are brownish and some buds don even open. Whats wrong?
Your problem is thrips, very tiny insects that attach the buds and new growth, worse in spring but will continue into summer and fall in some areas. They invade the buds just as the sepals separate to show color and once inside are almost impossible to kill. Spray with a hand sprayer just on buds and new growth, using a systemic insecticide such as dimethoate or Orthene and repeating at frequent intervals as long as infestation is bad. Avoid spraying mature foliage if possible.
