The very knowledgeable Herman posted some valuable info regarding pinching on GW forums years ago.  This old thread has lots of answers to various situations that we all currently have, or anticipate having one day.  It's a long read, but should answer a lot of questions.  It helped me better understand when and how to pinch buds.  Maybe there are some members here who had posted in that thread and might share their recent years experiences with pinching.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg0611441718628.html

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, Herman!

Thanks Frank; that's very helpful.  He has helped me with some problems too.

Now, can you (or anyone) supply a link to something like "All about cuttings"?
I have rummaged around lots of stuff using search, but I'm probably not asking the
right questions.......

Thanks

Frank thanks for bring up that thread from 2006 i remember it , now i feel old as a few of us posted in it.
Herman says it well in that thread about pinching and yes its needed for us folks in colder climates.
The newer members will find all that is needed about pinching in that thread thanks to Herman posting it and now you Frank making it alive again.  ; )

Herman has a great way of explaining things in simple terms, which I can appreciate greatly.  You are also among the wise figgies, Martin!

Well:I was doing pinching by the book,and ,I still had  unfavorable results in 20011 and 2012,due to very bad climatic conditions here in my locale,like abundant cold rain,cold nights after September 15,etc.
One other procedure I intend to apply beginning,in Spring 2013,is to thin the trunks on my bushes at no more than 3 trunks for the late ripening varieties,and to only 2 or 3 nodes,on the lateral branches that grows out from trunks.
Again these procedure is needed in cold climates so the plant get Sun exposure more completely ,and ,people in extreme hot climate do not need to follow it.
In extreme hot climates a thick canopy can be helpful for the plant to keep moisture at base,but in my average hot climate with abundant rains,moisture at base,is too much,and my problem is getting the fruits ripe,so that is why,I will make  thinning a priority starting 2013.

Frank;

Things that most of you consider simple are unknown to beginners.  I mean basics:

What is a cutting (e.g., piece 6" or 20"   new or old or doesn't matter?)
From where?   branch end or new truck from ground  or piece of root?
When to be taken in colder zones   spring, fall, anytime?
How?     Just cut a piece or so many nodes;     straight, slant, doesn't matter ?
Then what?  Plant? Store?  Refrigerate?
How long and what next?  

etc..........

Hi John - I understand your enthusiasm, but perhaps you'd get more discussion about starting cuttings if you started a new thread with that as the topic - this thread is about 'pinching'. Thanks.

John,

I just sent you a PM regarding your questions.