Alice I have always just cut and planted right away, although I've left some a day or two. Make sure your offsets are at least a third the size of mom. As far as the leaves I first use the leaf blower on low to get top leaves out, however many stay down in the cup, I use a thin pair of kitchen tongs to pull out the rest, it is a task since I have a great many of plants, sort of do a little at a time when I'm doing my daily garden strolls. Sometimes the water just needs to be flushed out with new water, by pouring directly over with a hose or water can.
