I am wondering if there is an advantage to pruning the dead leaves ASAP, or is it just as effective to wait until they are mature?
I have experimented, but don't really know the game well enough to recognize any differences.
thanks!!

Most experienced players like to prune the dead leaves after the plant grows large enough to do it easily, but before it produces flowers, since flowers can often obscure dead foliage. The main reason for pruning dead foliage is to help the plants sell at good prices. Customers don't like plants with dead foliage on them, and often refuse to buy them.

thanks! That makes sense.
what about pruning for shape? I notice that it knocks down the health of the plant....so does improving the look compensate for the loss of health? Or is it best to not touch healthy foliage?

You can prune healthy foliage to shape the plants to your liking, but do it carefully and allow time for the plant to regain health. Surprisingly, the customers who buy the plants don't seem to care about aesthetics.

Okay, that's what I wanted to know. Thank you!!