I have heard both ways on pinching buds. I err to the middle - leave one bud, let it bloom then grow the plant. I just got a couple of bands in yesterday, very healthy, from Heirloom roses. I potted the band in good soil and put it where it can get morning sun only. I don't put my bands in huge pots - rather start smaller and graduate as they grow. I put this one in a 1.5" gallon pot as it was really strong. The other 2 were in larger pots - leaving them there for the time being. I sprinkled a bit of alfalfa pellets on top but do not give any kind of liquid[chemical] fertilizer until after they have grown more or had first flush of blooms. Fish emulsion, Mills Magic Rose Mix is good - a weak solution.

I have some Valentines mini roses that are now 2 yrs. old that I grew in pots for a year. These in my opinion are fragile - being grown for the holiday in greenhouse, pumped up to bloom a lot. I don't let them bloom for awhile until they are sturdier. I got another one this year - potted it up in next size up pot, it is in morning sun outside [our temps are very mild now] and I will watch it grow - when it is putting on lots of new leaves and looks ready, will move it up to larger pot - or may put it in the ground - you can tell if a plant looks strong or still rather fragile [thin branches]. My older plants in the ground are doing very well. A little babying at first will pay dividends later. Good luck!

Judith