At the risk of asking a "newbie" question ... I have a few 1-year grafts I've purchased recently that are budding out at along the scion. Do I rub those off, to direct growth to the graft, or leave them for a year, to provide support for root growth?
You are right to rub off any new growth below the graft. Sometimes you even have to watch new growth right at the graft. New growth coming from the rootstock will take over the grafted maple if left to grow.
watching graft unions "watch new growth right at the graft". I do it all the time, looking for chimeras. So far...nothing.