Stress or drought the previous year can cause a poor showing of flowers. I'd keep it watered and fertilized this year, and hope for the best next year. For the record, after a great bloom in 2006, my kousa didn't put up much of a show this year, either.

I have a kousa 'Samaritan' that's very young & hasn't flowered yet. But, I've noticed around Mystic that the kousas are not blooming as heavily as the past two seasons. In 2005 & 2006, the dogwoods here were loaded with blooms...almost covering any green of the leaves. This year, the trees around are, maybe being generous, about a quarter covered with flowers.

That's now 3 northeast locations reporting in with less than stellar kousa performances.

Tricia

Thanks for the input. I don't think the kousa was stressed last growing season or so far this year. It gets enough water as its irrigated. Its also in a protected area in the rear of my home. I don't think I fertilized it last year and will give that a shot. The plant otherwise appears to be very health and is growing nicely.

Let me join the club.
Both of mine (as well as other kousa in a neighborhood) do/did not performed well this year.
They bloom, but at least at the half rate of the last year.
Similar thing happened in 2004 if I recall it correctly.

Mine too. Last year, there were so many flowers and berries that the branches were weighed down under the fruit. This year, only a few flowers. They have put on a lot of new growth, though.

Me too,, had good bloom last year, but sparse this year! No drought, good growing spot.