Am training a lot of one year apple whips this year. I topped at 30 inches to force laterals.
Now- should I let those laterals grow unpruned or prune them back a bit to force them to branch? If so when?
In the past when I leave them unpruned they do not branch on their own and I get a lot of “blind” wood with no buds.
These are rootings, grafts on rootstock, or seedlings?
In the ground or what size containers?
These are one year old bench graft whips planted in the orchard.
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If you want profuse branching head back overly long branches next winter. I had a 3rd leaf apple with long unbranched upright limbs about 3-4ft long. I headed them back in winter by 40-50% and the tree now looks totally different. Wish I had a before and after. Tree now has great short spurs and beautiful shape. It’s all filled in and may bloom next yr. It’s on vigorous stock.
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Is there any benefit to heading them back this summer?
Summer pruning usually doesn’t force nearly as many laterals as winter pruning. Summer prune to control size. I think you’ll do better heading in winter for branching. I will say most of my experience is with stone fruit.
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that is really valuable information. Thanks.