Will cutting it in summer kill it? Or what effect, if any, will it have on it?
Cutting it back in summer is not ideal because you would be removing active leaves that the plant is using to generate energy, but would probably not kill the grass. This article explains when and how to cut back pampas grass:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/pampas-grass/pruning-pampas-grass.htm
I bought 2 containers of pampas grass. Only 1 produce a single plum. Is this normal for the first year? Will there be more plumes next year?
It is not likely to bloom its first year.
With proper care you should see increasing blooms next season.
The flowers are triggered in the fall as the light levels drop, not temperatures.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/pampas-grass/growing-pampas-grass.htm
I would like to buy pampas grass in as many colors as possible.
We cannot recommend specific retailers, but pampas grass seeds are available from many online gardening and landscape retailers, and may be available at gardening and hardware stores in your area.
When do you plant?
Pampas grass should be planted in the spring, and I believe the purple variety is the same.
I have a big pampas grass. It has a number of plumes but this year they did not open. What's wrong?
I am not sure what would cause this. Excessive nitrogen or possibly excessive heat can inhibit flower development, so perhaps they can inhibit plumes from fully developing and opening.
I received pampas grass seeds in the mail with no instructions as to how to plant them. Do I plant in fall or spring? The seeds are very tiny. Do I separate them or plant all together? There were two small packets.
Start your pampas grass seeds in spring, either indoors in containers or directly on the ground. Indoors, use a seed starting medium, and scatter the seeds on the surface of the soil. Keep them evenly moist until they germinate. Transplant to the desired outdoor location when they're about 5 inches high, and water them daily for the first week or so.
Outdoors, if you want the pampas grass to eventually grow in clumps, prepare areas of soil with compost about 8 feet apart from each other. Scatter some seeds on top of each patch of soil. Water the seeds daily until they begin to grow.
Pampas grass, when to plant?
Vegetatively propagated (divided) clumps of Pampas grass can be transplanted in winter or early spring. If growing from seed, plant in the spring.