Henry - I would like to respond more often to your posts - but I'm not smart enough to understand most of what you say. LOL
So, I take it that too much heat isn't good for vigorous growth and flowering. What was the temperature?? Or am I totally missing the content of this. I laugh at myself. :)
Carol

Carol, I cannot access the full paper. Here is the first page:
http://www.researchjournal.co.in/online/TAJH/TAJH%207(1)/7_A-154-159.pdf

"In South Gujarat, during summer, temperature is very high. Due to high temperature, flower colour becomes faint due to which flower quality deteriorates. Use of 50 per cent shade net can reduce light intensity, insect attack and improve flower quality. Considering the importance of rose as cut flower and its popularity, it was thought worthwhile to carryout research as on use of 50 per cent shade net, Benzyladenine plant growth regulator and Azotobacter bio-fertilizer to know the growth, yield, and quality as well as vase life of rose cv. GLADIATOR under the agro-climatic conditions of South Gujarat."

It appears that some shade improves the flower quality. I seem to remember comments that in hot climates the spring blooms are better/larger than the summer blooms. Can anyone comment on this statement?

Here is a link that might be useful: link to first page

Absolutely.

I posted a picture of my Sharifa Asma's first spring flush a few months back. Big, beautiful, palm sized, amber and blush colored, intoxicatingly fragrant blooms.

The bloom that just opened on Sharifa today was a singlet, nearly white, and lacked fragrance.

The heat does awful things to roses...awful things.

Josh

Which is probably why here in the cooler zone 3 (close to the mountains), my roses' blooms can get huge! The colors are usually intense. So, I guess a shade net here would be a bad idea. :)
Carol