I am no expert but I apply basic grandma gardening principles, when the lower shade leaves are starting to yellow, they've done all they can do for the plant and just become a detriment. At this point anyway, I'd say around even 50% yellowing of any one leaf, they usually just fall away with a light tug of the finger tips.
To me, this is effectively the same as deadheading your hanging baskets - the plants tell you when they want it done. If the foliage isn't readily falling off the plant, then it's still doing something. One must not forget that these are the light absorbers and are very much feeding the buds to facilitate growth. Again, no expert, but logic dictates to me that actively stripping your plant back of leaves is a net detriment than a benefit.
I am willing to bet that 90% of amateurs (such as myself) mistake under/overfeeding and humidity problems as being time to lollipop/defoliate the plant, when in fact it is demonstrating to the grower that it requires something else.
My growing principle is to let the plant grow as naturally as possible with minimal interference, but bombarded with the best in terms of light, heat, humidity and feed. Help to enable your plants as much as possible, but don't interfere too much - it works for me.
