I was given some good advice earlier this year on pruning my pear tree. This is my first time growing any pears, so im trying to understand the growth habits and flowering habits in my area.

First, the John was the first thing to pop buds this year, and the first to flower (just slightly ahead of my Toka plum). It is in a fairly exposed location, but this didnt seem to detur it from flowering.

Second - I am wondering if I made a mistake by pruning to a flower bud rather then a leaf? At the time of pruning I wasnt 100% sure which were which and some branches which I intend to make permanent scaffolds, were pruned to a flower bud. Will this cause problems for the branch growth?

Lastly - I never realized how massive the flower clusters are on pears. I dont think I have to worry about fruits this year, there are no pollinators for miles but Im trying to think ahead. How much thinning do pears require? I think most fruits are one fruit per cluster, and am wondering if pears are no exception....