Unseparated Ume layers starting to flower, what to do?

[SeanS]

I have 3 Ume layers still on a parent tree that are taking an absolute age to root. One of them (the bigger of the 3) has produced a few very fine roots, but not enough to separate. All 3 layers have lost their leaves while the rest of the parent tree is still in leaf and set to start going dormant soonish (it’s almost winter here).
All 3 layers are now wanting to flower. The bigger one has produced a single flower so far, with the rest of the flower buds plumping up and getting ready to bloom.
My question is should I left them flower or should I pick off the flower buds to save energy within the layers?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I probably wouldn’t bother to remove the flowers.

 

[Shibui]

I also don't always bother removing flowers and it does not seem to make much difference. There may be some small advantage but I don't think flowers take a lot of energy so pick them off if you have the time and inclination but not essential.
Fruits probably take a lot more resources so keep an eye and remove any that start to swell after flowers.

No problem leaving those layers in place through winter. I would separate any layers, even with just a few small roots, early in Spring. It's always surprising how few roots they can survive on at that time of year. I suspect there's nothing like losing the support of the parent to concentrate a layer's attention on growing more roots.

I haven't layered Ume. I usually strike cuttings. Sometimes I get great results. Other times, despite doing approximately the same thing, results are dismal. Maybe the same with layers? so don't give up if these don't work out.

 

[SeanS]

@Shibui the white Ume next to this pink one has produced a number of layers and cuttings so far, while this pink one has had 2 failed layers, 1 cutting out of many attempts, and these 3 lethargic layers. It must be a variety that is just difficult to root.

 

[SeanS]

And yes @Shibui I plan to separate the layers in spring regardless of rootage as I need to dig these 2 trees up and reduce them to bonsai trunks for an imminent house move sometime in the next 12 months.

 

[namnhi]

I have 3 Ume layers still on a parent tree that are taking an absolute age to root. One of them (the bigger of the 3) has produced a few very fine roots, but not enough to separate. All 3 layers have lost their leaves while the rest of the parent tree is still in leaf and set to start going dormant soonish (it’s almost winter here).
All 3 layers are now wanting to flower. The bigger one has produced a single flower so far, with the rest of the flower buds plumping up and getting ready to bloom.
My question is should I left them flower or should I pick off the flower buds to save energy within the layers?

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I would say... enjoy the flowers.

 

[Shibui]

the white Ume next to this pink one has produced a number of layers and cuttings so far, while this pink one has had 2 failed layers, 1 cutting out of many attempts, and these 3 lethargic layers. It must be a variety that is just difficult to root.

That may go some way to explaining why I often get good results with the white flowers but poor with a red flowered weeping one. That's no consolation for you but, thanks for the heads up.