Pulling off dried leaves and sheaths on blooming plants.

[Optimist]

I have taken off sheaths or leaves that seem water logged or ready to come off. I also remove them if they are obviously keeping a new growth from peeking out. I do not like to excavate too deeply, but if I see a "baby-bump" I want to really monitor it because I have found that if you keep the area around the tiny new growth a bit wetter, it grows out better. I have never seen "clean ups" to have anything to do with flower length, unless perhaps you cut into or injure the plant.