Early JBP development

[Mame-Mo]

I'm not a beginner per se, but this is a very beginner question. I have a few JBP that are a few years old. All I'm trying to do is grow them out right now, but seeing them today I realized they have a ton of buds in one location. Should these be paired down to avoid whorls or should I just leave them be to let the tree grow faster with less stress?

 

[leatherback]

I would reduce them

 

[Mame-Mo]

Any advice on which ones?

 

[Jiminsauga]

If it's your leader, then keep the biggest one and one that's pointed in the direction/side you want.

If it's a side branch then pick two of similar size and strength.

I'll leave timing up to the experts, since I don't know what to recommend for Texas.

 

[0soyoung]

I'm not a beginner per se, but this is a very beginner question. I have a few JBP that are a few years old. All I'm trying to do is grow them out right now, but seeing them today I realized they have a ton of buds in one location. Should these be paired down to avoid whorls or should I just leave them be to let the tree grow faster?

Whorls only matter at points you are going to or might keep.
Sun-lit foliage is the growth engine.
Shaded foliage is not productive and will be lost.

After that it is pretty much a matter of your convenience (e.g., can you cope with the sprawl of branches?).
The best basal flare will result from a long whip being blown around by the breezes. But this won't happen in a pot unless the pot is secured somehow, so it won't blow over (or ground-planted).