As a beginner rose grower, this practice was as foreign to me as Latin!
What is finger pruning? Finger pruning is the removal of selected, unwanted growing buds from the rose cane using your finger. This sounds simple enough! But, in practice, it can become a true art.
After you have pruned your roses, new growth starts. Usually, depending upon the variety, several bud eyes on one cane will pop and begin growing at the same time. This is where finger pruning becomes an art. It is knowing when there are too many buds on one cane for particular varieties as well as types of plants.
You may think to yourself, "the more, the merrier!" NOT SO!! Too many buds on one cane may cause blind shoots for several buds, which will never flower. Later in the growing season, this may cause problems for your bush. Foliage that is too dense causes poor air circulation, which could encourage blackspot or powdery mildew. It also makes a great hideout for the dreaded spider mites.
You will also want to ensure you finger prune any bud eyes growing toward the inside of your plant. By finger pruning your canes to one or two bud eyes, you will help provide more nourishment to the remaining bud eyes. This encourages longer stems and larger blooms. These longer stems are important, especially while establishing a new bush of any type (Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, Floribunda, etc.).
When removing spent blooms, try not to remove too much of the stem. The more leaves you can leave on a new bush, the better your bush will grow!
Finger pruning is a good practice to begin once bushes have been pruned as well as one to continue throughout the rose growing season.
