Hi Sue ...
>>>My first flush is almost done, ( killed a couple weevils today) but I didn't have too much damage, certainly nothing even close to last year.
Good for you.
I got most of a first flush before I started dis-budding. It's beautiful seeing all of those undamaged blooms. The only ones I missed out on were those which hadn't started their first flush, yet.
All of the roses look very healthy, but they will all get larger and more foliage in the next few weeks as the plant energy that they can't use for blooms has to go somewhere ....
For me, dis-budding the roses is an investment in getting a clean first flush next year. It also helps the plants because they always end up with more foliage when the heat hits. I may feel like crying when I do it, but it is worth it.
Smiles,
Lyn