In article , Sacha
writes

Isn't the received wisdom to tear off suckers rather than cut them
because cutting is like pruning to encourage growth? I think the idea
is that tearing off suckers (repeat, if necessary) weakens the bud from
which they grow.


Yes but in the case of course the stems of the suckers are almost bigger
than the stem on the proper plant!
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk