REMOVING OLD FLOWER STALKS:

[weiss]

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on removing the old flower stalks? I know that some of you feel it best to remove them while others prefer to leave them on the plant. I'm wondering if some of you can explain why? For instance, the late Dr. John Martin always removed them after re-potting, as he felt that by removing them the root system would have more energy, which it needs after re-potting. I know a lot of people leave them in hopes of another flower quicker. Another thought I have had is that maybe it really doesn't matter from the fact that in nature some are left while others die and wither away, or they are broken off.
Finally, which plants do you "never" remove the flower stalk from, for eg. the bellina would be one, and why is this so?