I need some advice. What do you find the most effective way to avoid Black Spot - I seem to have it even though I don't water over the leaves. Love to hear how you brought it under control. How often do you find you need to do something to reduce it.

Secondly, Aphids. What has everyone found the best way to reduce them. I have these white specs on the outside of the un-open rose bulbs.

Everones help will be appreciated.

Living in Brisbane is part of the black spot problem. Humidity fosters all sorts of infections. Try to keep the roses in circulating air, get rid of any crowding. Strip off all the affected leaves and put them in the bin not the compost. Roseguard from Yates might help.
Aphids are a bit easier. Eternal vigilance is the answer. Go around your roses at least twice a day and squash anything that isn't a ladybird. If you have a serious infestation spray them with the hose. Insecticide sprays aren't wonderfully effective because the little bugs are arriving constantly. Aphids don't do a lot of damage usually, except on flower buds. Just pull each bud through your fingers and you'll remove them.
Sue