I'd let the leaves stay for awhile and work for you. While your working with them and you see a leaf that you don't like for some reason, then a good time to trim the Bush.

Question about droopy, if it dries so fast, think you drain to waste, which is good, have you tried a catch basin just for a day or two? Might help with any big air voids, and sometimes gets things started.

Cages are cool too.