I'm nicely into a pear espalier project. I'm doing to a three tiered cordon. First tier, great. Second tier, I again headed off the leader. Rather than forming laterials it simply shot up a new, very vigorous leader.

My thought is to not head off the new leader this late in the season. Just let 'er rip. Then, come February, I'll prune it back to where the second tier needs to be and hopefully it'll decide this time to branch.

Does that sound like a good plan? Any other tips about forcing laterials where you need them?

Thanks!