These look fresh so I'm thinking that instead of trimming them off you should of perhaps worked a shot with them on the plant perhaps? It might of added more appeal!
this image doesn't give me enough wowo factor. It appears a flash was used and created some shadows that really make everything appear as if they are floating. The colours make the leaves seems flat and lifeless.
It may not cure anything, but it certainly makes one not care that there's anything wrong. Not quite sure that it's an interesting shot though. Seems a bit plain. Lacks "wow".