black spots on petals

[Bcarpenter]

I am guessing this is normal for an old flower, or is it ?

[aliceinwl]

Looks like bothrytis. Older flowers are very susceptible. Keeping water off the flowers can reduce the chances that they’ll get infected. I have this show up on most of my outdoor plants when the flowers are nearing the end of their life no matter how dry I keep them. I haven’t had any issues with it appearing on new flowers unless they’ve been subjected to something like a day of cold rain.

[Bcarpenter]

Ok, thanks.....

[Ray]

Water on the flowers is not a requirement. It is an indication that the atmosphere around the plant is too moist and stagnant.

[Roberta]

Cold can also encourage botrytis. This time of year, with nights getting cooler, any chance that plant got a chill?

[Bcarpenter]

It's been very humid and stagnant here, not very cool yet....

[Roberta]

If it is very humid, even a small temperature drop (like overnight) can lead to condensation on the surface of the flowers - and the dreaded botrytis. If the air is stagnant, a fan might help prevent this sort of of thing, to keep the damp air from settling on the flowers.

[Bcarpenter]

Yep, thats probably what happened condensation