I stake them straight if they lean or if they are growing crooked when purchased I will plant them at an angle to straighten them out. It is more for aesthetics than functionality.

The fruit buds are formed in the late summer so either were formed before you purchased it and if so was out of your control or they were forming when you planted it and the stress of that caused the lack of flowers......or could just be that individual plant. Nothing to worry about if they look healthy and grow well. Next spring should be another story.

They recommend you pull off the flowers the first year of growing anyway to allow the plant some time to put on some size and a root system. If you have the plant in a good soil environment you should be fine.

Thanks for your helpful replies, bamboo_rabbit and riverman1.