Dont worry about the bottom all the good shit is at the top, if the leaf has done its job it starts to loose its energy when its crisp and starting to go bad snip it off with a razor/sharp knife etc dont just pull it off, the plant will then put its energy into whats still good, also bottom branches that are showing they will not develope into anything are best removed, again this lets the plant put energy into whats important, (the business end) the top, look at the top when well in flower and look at the bottom, if you cut away the very bottom branches it will then put all its energy into what it has left, keep it simple friend, hope this is of some help,