I pinch the tips out when they get too floppy. Unless you have a really big pot there usually isn't too much training to do. Did have an Early Blush once that got big long floppy branches. On that one I should have pinched the tips out sooner and headed back more in the dormant season. It you want a bushy smaller plant, tip and head more. If you want an open plant then let them grow.

I usually tip after about two ft of growth.

The size of the pot and watering frequency will control ultimate tree size, no dwarf rootstock needed.

This post was edited by fruitnut on Tue, Jun 18, 13 at 18:30

Thanks, Fruitnut. I'm aiming for a fairly open plant, and am contemplating keeping it to about 6-8 scaffold branches.