Dynamics of leaf emergence shows the development progress and its relationship with growth in wheat. It was found that two-phase linear model equations (phase I faster than phase II) divided by glum differentiation stage could describe leaf emergence progress in relation to growing degree days (GDD) after sowing in wheat. This pattern was consistent in main stems and tillers of normal development with both winter-and-spring type varieties. The beginning of phase II shifted to an earlier development stage on main stems of winter type varieties of early planting (EP, September 30) and late planting (LP, March 2), and on T3 of both varieties of EP, MP (middle planting, on October 30) and LP due to their abnormal development. The thermal rate of leaf emergence on main stem was relatively high and steady during development for winter type variety of MP, and quickened with the postponing of sowing for spring type variety. The above results illustrated the difference of leaf emergence at different tillering positions, and the biological characteristics affected by different varieties and sowing dates.