This is a great plant.I just love the way the leaves open in day & close at night.Seed pod removal a good idea.Save them for next spring.This plant looks best in a small cluster.I don't remove my flowers.Just let them fall natural.

After going to seed, the plant drops the branches and leaves. I cut it back to the woody branches, and make sure to get all the seed pods. They will all sprout next spring. I cut mine back a couple of weeks ago, and they are already putting out new growth. Last year I had flowers again by christmas. Keeping my fingers crossed. Mine were also infested with whitefly, so I was glad to cut them all back.

Michael, this may well be apples to oranges, but my popcorn Cassia has-I believe-much the same type of inflorescence as does the one you're working with. I noted that the earliest "flower stalks", once done blooming, tended to remain green and photosynthetic for some weeks, but eventually did senesce, such that, if given the opportunity, I think they would have been sloughed off. Of course, before that could happen, I was there with my pruning shears, removing what was no longer ornamental on the plants.

Again, not sure this helps, but did want to offer what little I had.

+oM