So early spring but DON'T remove the buds..
... unless when you want "great spring growth" (
bonsaitonight.com/2012/05/18/removing-flower-buds-from-azalea/), which is something you will usually want when you are growing a bonsai that is not established yet - which is what we are talking about in this case.
you won't get flowers than
Correct, and that's the idea. I remove the buds from my apple tree so it doesn't grow flowers - except last year, when I did want to see flowers.
Next year, I'll remove the buds again as I need growth, not flowers.