Not necessarily. The top buds always inhibit the lower buds by producing an auxin. Even when they grow they are not as vigorous as the leader because of this suppression. If you remove that top bud/shoot there is nothing to inhibit the lower buds so they should start to grow. It has to be this way otherwise a tree could not grow into a tree. As long as there is a node on the stem, there should generally be buds there as well even though you may not be able to see them. If you make a small incision above where you think there might be a bud and apply the opposite of auxin - which is cytokinins, then in theory that bud should be stimulated to grow. Of course even if it does, it may sooner or later still be supressed by the leading shoot unless that is cut back until the new one catches up. This would be an advantage where you want a shoot in a certain place but you don't want to or can't cut back the leader for some reason.peterb wrote:Morning Mike, thanks for the reply. To go back to your reply, on natives that don't backbud on old wood, is that because there are no buds further down. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience with us beginners Mike
Cheers Peterb
Try it and see. Make sure you post what happens! We just need to try things to find what works and what doesn't.
