Good topic.

I’m seeing this on a few of mine now. Wondering if it’s related to 2 downpours 11 days apart. I tend to see it on roses prone to balling. May just be coincidental.

Is boron deficiency a problem in non desert soils?

Flat topped, blunt looking flowers are normal for 'Aloha'.

Excessive heat makes roses do goofy things. July and into August, my roses behave like they are cartoon characters from the 'Looney Tunes.' Before and after the summer craziness, the roses are elegant and refined.

Look for better growth habits to kick in as the days shorten and cool down.

Moses

I never found the exact cause either but I really have it with papi delbard this season. In Tennessee one spring I had it on so many roses . I know I had started a thread then but I don’t remember a solid reason , just that it happens to a lot of people !! It’s weird!!

Jeri - Sheer beauty in an uncommon color!!

Thank you folks! I guess we still dont know really. Maybe Malcolm might weigh in.

Embothrium: Thank you for the reassurance. I am talking about a kind of 'bull nose' bud that always leads to a deformed looking flower. Not just a bud that is flat across the top, as opposed some other form, say pointy, and I am thinking the flatness is abnormal. I know what the normal buds on Aloha look like, but these are different. I dont have a picture of a consequent deformed flower right now but I will look out for it.

Jeri: as I replied to Embothrium the buds I am talking about are definitely abnormal and show up from time to time. Abnormal both because how they look different from the normal ones and lead to mal-shaped flowers. Very beautiful flower with a cool passionate color!

Moses: here is the thing. I got a lot in spring and am getting some now. Lily got them in spring and is getting them now so its not tied to heat necessarily. But I agree with you, the heat is doing strange things to roses and other plants.

Lily, thank you. I thought I am the strange one who is doing some strange cultural practice and bringing this on my roses.

Well, it just one of those things. Not too important, but I still wish I understood it.

I've been baffled for decades about this condition, and certain roses definitely seem prone to it. Evelyn is my worst offender with many bull nosed blooms per season. Often they occur in conjunction with a thrips attack. Now that's a lovely look. The Prince has a lot of this, plus thrips, too. Ugh. Diane