Espalier apple pruning

This is my first attempt at an espaliered tree. I'm just wondering if I should rub the buds of on the vertical stem as I don't want branches to grow there. Or wait and prune them one they have grown a bit. Any advice would be great!

Not very clear in this photo, but I've let all the buds grow, whether on the trunk, or branches.
I prune them off fairly short, and they grow a lot of fruiting spurs.
I also find that many of the buds are spur/fruiting buds and won't grow into branches anyway.
An espalier has very little wood compared to a 'normal' tree, and I try to leave as much fruiting wood on as I can!

*edit* a couple of unsolicited comments on the pot...
Is the tree on very dwarfing rootstock? If not, I imagine you'll need to repot.
I'd also be careful about what looks like a metal pot?
It could get really hot in there, and while there's plants that enjoy hot feet, apples aint one of them.

Hi Leila,

Thanks so much for your reply it was really helpful! I will let the shoots grow. Is there a better time of year to prune them back if they grow into branches?

Re: the pot, I'm renting which is why I decided to pot it. I might make a bigger wooden planter though to let it grow as it's not a dwarf tree. Thanks again for your tips I'm learning a lot!

I do basically all my pruning in late summer, which reduces the tree's vigour.
Winter pruning tends to promote growth and I want my trees to be as small as possible!
Your tree isn't likely to need any pruning this season unless it puts on a real growth spurt.
My general rule is to prune any shoots that grow from the trunk or main branches off just below the next espalier wire.
Re the pot: I suggest when the weather starts getting hot, maybe wrap something white around the pot to reflect heat off it?
I often paint plastic pots white for this reason, but your pot's a bit pretty for that
I lived in Melbourne, it was boiling in summer.