Some Hybrid Teas do require more attention to disbudding after the first bloom if you want to continue with strong, single-stem, blooms rather than clusters. Not all HT's have this habit, however.

That kind of attention is what the exhibitors do. If you're going to show, you must disbud early and carefully so none of the removed stem remains on the bush and the stem is not damaged. If you are growing for garden effect or for cut flowers, you don't have to be nearly as careful. Of course, the sooner you disbud, the larger will be the remaining bloom.

It's up to you. You can, if you wish, grow your HTs in clusters. The blooms will be smaller, of course, and generally the clusters will not be quite as even as with floribundas and/or grandifloras. But all other things being equal, it will not effect the bush one way or the other.

FYI, most rose shows actually have a class for HT clusters. It's kind of a challenge to grow a show-quality HT cluster.

They don't have shows in the summertime.

Something to consider: instead of removing side buds, you can remove the central bud as soon as you see a cluster developing. Then the other buds will develop into larger flowers opening at nearly the same time, giving you a stem suitable for cutting. As you may already know, this is how exhibitors produce good floribunda sprays.

Wow- thank you both so much for the detailed information on both techniques.

I will try both, the next show is in Sept here. I have been disbudding Folklore and Red Intuition, but not the others or the floribundas. I can't wait to see the different outcomes! Maybe an exacto knife would be better than using my fumbly fingers, which is what i've been doing.

I don't ask too many questions of fellow exhibitors as i don't wish to pester or ofcourse, seem stupid. So, thank you to all on this forum who reply with wisdom and patience.

frenchcuffs, there should be someone at the show who can help you with prep or other info. nickl helps new exhibitors at our show. ;-)

Some plants are usually single bloom per stem, some want to have sprays/candelabras. There is a lot of finger pruning that goes on, and as Nick said, the earlier the better. Good luck!