Nipstress, I've practically made a religion out of nipping off buds on young roses, which in my case is because of the severe heat, and I'm a believer. However, sometimes I will let just one bud bloom on a rose I'm unfamiliar with, such as Lady Alice Stanley. It was so enjoyable to see that gorgeous bloom. I've missed some buds on Cl. Lady Hillingdon inside the bush since the yellow is difficult to spot against the green, but otherwise I'm good about it. I have, however, made exceptions with a few bands that were vigorous from the get-go and which for space reasons I didn't really want to get large, such as Pink Rosette, Poulsen's Pink and Pink Lafayette. Of course with your cold winters that's not something you'd want to do. I'm so glad you had great success with this technique.

Ingrid

I've started doing this too although it's killing me. Kim is right again. It's kind of scary. Mary

Thank you! I'm thrilled you've had such successes with the method. It's honestly just common sense. Think about what you do with young stone fruit trees. It's frequently advised not to let them set fruit the first few years so the trees can develop the strength required for heavy fruit set. Preventing fruit frees resources for growth instead of that fruit, pushing the tree to grow and preventing the limbs from being damaged. But, really, what's the difference between that and not permitting an immature plant to flower? Most can either grow or bloom, your choice. Many are going to grow anyway, but THIS gives you the option, the power, to push them to self sufficiency faster. To mature into a hardier, more productive plant much more quickly. No, I don't think it's going to make a hill of beans difference letting ONE flower open, unless that plant is on death's door anyway. I'm just happy something so simple could provide such a dramatic benefit for you. That's great! Thanks. Kim

Of course Kim was right. Kim has more knowledge in his pinky finger than I ever hope to have. I don't do it, but I don't have severe cold, and I am fine with the rose taking its time. If I received a really small rose or a weak growing one, I would do it, though.

If you accidentally let a bud develop almost to blooming, might as well let it bloom.

Cynthia, I love your post script question!!!! it is so difficult......a little, tiny bit of blooming satisfaction is So nice! :-)

Thanks for your support - it's nice to know there are other "nippers" out there and I'm not the only mean old nippstress! And it's good to hear of the flip side, Jaxondel, about why a bloom or two here and there may be a good thing. Nearly all my bands from Vintage and Rogue Valley this year came with buds or blooms on them, and I do admit to pinching off all but one of them to see the blooms. Not that either of those vendors has ever sent a wrong rose, but it's nice to see the blooms in real life. Rene - nice to know you appreciate my little whine. I appreciate the official permission from Kim and MIchael to let the occasional bloom sneak by without too much guilt. With all those roses it's bound to happen anyway, so I might as well enjoy it when I slip up.

Still, I expect all the rest of you rose nippsters and nippstresses to be out there being ruthless and singing that ol' Monkees (or Smashmouth) song - yeah, I'm a Believer!!

That is, when I'm not swayed into other songs by rose tags

...ahhh-I found mah thrilllllll.....

Cynthia

I was actually going to try to do this but now I'm rather glad I didn't. If I had pinched off the buds I wouldn't have discovered that 4 of my 8 Hortico roses were not the ones I ordered until next year!

I have removed buds from plants that were having a rough time until they were back into good health again.