Question
I live in the New York City area.  It seems the last few years some of the new growth in the spring is coming up blind (no buds).  I have no idea why.  I am trying to prune them back to start new growth above a stem with 5 leaves.  A lot of the stems have 7 leaves.  Can you please help me get them back on the right track?

Diana

Answer
Blind shoots are formed on roses when flower buds do not develop because of abortion of the flower organs. The result is a stem with no flower at the end. The reason that blind shoots develop is not fully understood. Climatological factors, especially those affecting the presence of light, are thought to have an effect. Temperature factors may also be involved. Some rosarians think that blind shoots occur because the rose is throwing more stems than it can support with corresponding blooms. When blind shoots are cut back by about 3 inches, they often produce more side shoots than normal canes which proves that blind shoots are basically no different from normal canes in regards to producing flowers. There is no need to prune back to 5 or 7 leaflets as many roses have both on the same bush and it is normal. The last reason why a rose  produces blind shoots could be that they are planted inn either too rich a soil or are given too much fertilizer, especially one with a high nitrogen percentage. So what it boils down to is you simply pull back and don't be too generous with the rose food and cut back the tips of the canes if they are blind ones.