Hi, I have several begonias gehrtii with fat, succulent stems. When a leaf turns brown and withers, the stem takes a really long time to dry up so that the leaf can fall off. Is it safe for me to snap off or cut the unsightly yellow/brown leaves at the base of the stem? Would it be better to cut off the leaf at the point where leaf and stem meet?

The same is true of some beefsteak and other begonias I have, but their stems aren't as fat as the gehrtiis.

Thanks!