I think it would be OK to prune because the plant is actively growing so it will recover quickly, I'm not sure about the flowers, I think they form buds on new growth so it might just be a matter of timing?

Maybe you can try a partial pruning and see what happens, so you'll know what to expect the next time you want to trim in the fall.

x

Xerophyte - as we await Norma's response, it is correct flowers buds form on new growth. However, here in southern California, these bloom in winter time. If pruned in spring, I would still have to wait until winter before it bloomed. Withholding water in winter also stimulates it to flower, so I have been told. It seems to work that way for me here.
Fred - don't be afraid. I think if you trimmed it back now, you would still have time for it to bloom this year.
Just my .02 worth.

Thanks xero and borrego. We're waiting Norma.

I did it! I picked up the knife, took a deep breath and started cutting! I took it way back. Was 2 feet, now 10 inches! The trunk is already pretty stout because every spring I limb it up like a small tree and then cut all of the past seasons growth off except one or two joints. Well this time I went even lower and removed some of the old growth. Now I have the trunk and about 4 or 5 branches that are two or three inches long. I noticed a lot of new growth was starting to come out. There were even little green bumps up and down the trunk. I rubbed them off the trunk but there are a couple or three nubs on each branch. NO adult leaves. And I would (and will) do it again. Norma I know you'll be proud of me!

Well here in the inland valley, mine may be growing a little differently.
I prune mine Oct 1, it has a few weeks more of heat, but not above the 90F so it can still grow, it likes the night time temps to drop 30 degrees cooler. It will put on new growth, I leave mine out in the rain, which will push the growing. It indeed grows flowers on the new growth. Give it it shot of fertilizer at this time. Never fertilize however if you expect the temperature to drop below 50F because you don't want to push growth if it is going to be really cold the new growth has not hardened off yet. If you live in cold temperatures be sure not to water. And when I have time and space I'll tell you all the story about my post office plants. Norma

Its about 80 degrees here during the day and 60 at night. This is cooler than normal for so early in the season. So hopefully mine will make some new growth before it gets really cold. I can definitely tell its picked up since it was 100 during the day and 75 at night.