My plant is has been growing happily in a pot for three years in Inverness. I have just noticed these ‘sacks of white beads’ for first time and wonder what they are, there are about 6 of them at the moment and I have not seen them in previous years. What are they?
That is a seed pod, which is left behind after flower pollination. Those white things are seeds!
I have ordered a Crinodendron hookerianum in a 9cm pot, I will re-pot it into a larger pot with ericaceous compost, how long will it take to flower?
That is a very small container so the plant you receive will take years to mature into a large shrub. However, it should start blooming earlier. These articles should help:
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/crinodendron-hookerianum