Pinching and deadheading are not the same thing. Pinching is done to
tender new growth, long before flowering, usually to increase branching
and thus increase the number of leaves and/or flowers.

Basil may be pinched to decrease flowering and increase leafing.

Crysanthemum etc. may be pinched to increase flowering. To get the
mass-of-flowers display seen in garden shows, intensive pinching is
required.

In fruit and ornamental trees under intensive management, suckers and
water shoots can be controlled by prompt pinching.

Una