canna transplant question

I just dug up about a thousand yellow cannas that hadn't been thinned in about five years. My question is whether or not to cut off the leaves before replanting what I want to keep.

Since you're in 8a, if they're healthy looking, you don't have to.

Thanks. Just found out we're in for nasty weather tonight. Can't wait to cover my stuff to protect from hail.

I am about 20 miles from you. Did the same with my cannas this time last year. I always cut the leaves off in late fall anyway. Makes them easier to work with. I have my first start of these same cannas for 30 years. You can't kill them. I did learn something this year. My main grouping (80 ft bed across the back) are old time pass-alongs. Rcvd. some hybrids last year and put them in another bed. Everyone of the hybrids got "the virus" and looked awful. I cut them down 2 weeks ago. I may dig them and throw them out.

Christi