Tropicals & Tender Perennials: My brug is dropping buds, 0 by ArizonaDee

ArizonaDee wrote:
I bought it last summer and protected it over the winter. Although it lost some leaves it didn't die back. This spring I repotted it in a 1/2 whiskey barrel and it has put on tons of leaves but the buds drop before maturing. I fertalize and water frequently. There is also a sprout that has grown up at the base that recently formed the "Y". Should I remove it from the big plant? How do I do that?