I pinch nothing--and my roses seem to grow fine.

Oh, one exception. When places like Roses Unlimited and Chamblees send potted roses already in bloom, I enjoy the blooms (and check to make sure they are the correct color) for 30 minutes or so and then snap off the actual blooms. Other than that, I don't mess with buds.

If you feel it helps, go ahead and do it, but I certainly wouldn't do it all season unless the plant seemed to have real problems--a wimpy plant that just won't get growing. That might need more care.

I know some people swear by the de-budding process, but I just never have seen a real need for it in most situations.

Kate

Judith: I de-bud my new roses all Spring and Summer and sometime during the Early Fall I'll let one bud go until it blooms so I can enjoy the color before winter sets in. I won't de-bud the second year or thereafter. Reason I do this: Mom said it was a good practice to let roots get established real well. Pembroke

To pinch or not to pinch...personal choice. If the plants are developing to your satisfaction, don't pinch. If they aren't, pinch. As for how long, until they seem to be growing and maturing to your satisfaction. I don't pinch everything because not everything NEEDS pinching. Those which begrudgingly produce growth, preferring to flower instead, I pinch until they appear to be growing as I wish them to. It's really that simple. Kim

Thanks for all the good advice! On the ones I have just planted in the ground or potted, I have pinched all buds. On my precious bands I got from Vintage last year and just repotted - I am pinching all but one bud. It is really important to me to have good root growth - so will definitely do it on the new roses. Ya'll's advice makes good sense - I just wasn't sure how many bud cycles to pinch.....now will look at the rose, and think I have enough sense to know when to and when not to.

I am finally seeing a bunch of buds in the last week - like, almost overnight they are pumping them out! Just cant wait to see the first ones start blooming!
Judith