Oh Theodore, I should have added this but my raggidity old brain forgot.
I am largely a product of older orchid knowledge. A lot of what I initially learned comes from the 70’s and 80’s. Once I had children, I got away from a lot of reading and research. Instead I relied on my observations.
When I started with orchids in 1974, many people removed dried sheaths because they felt that tender buds might get caught up within those sheaths causing the buds to abort by being stuck inside. I found that that idea seemed to make sense. I also saw first hand that a strong, well grown Cattleya spike can push through that dried sheath.
I had a couple of Cattleya hybrids heavily influenced by Cattleya aurantiaca produce dried sheaths and buds died. I guess I kind of go by habit, I made it a habit to slice open dried sheaths. I want to give the buds a chance to develop unencumbered by the dry sheath. It is not so much about proof or anything but I do it to make me feel better.
Such hybrids like C. Bob Betts, C. Bow Bells, and C. Horace grow like they are made of steel! Their buds seemingly could push through concrete!