While I'm not new to orchid keeping, I do forget stuff. What I want to know is if it is a good idea to remove the thin "paper" around the bases of psudobulbs of dendrobiums and Cattelya? I've got a newly acquired Pot. that is pushing out a new ps. bulb at the base of it's last one. Is it possible for this paper to restrict the emergence of new growth? The plant came with plenty of it on the back bulbs.

I don't think there's any real reason to remove the dried sheaths, unless you need to give possible critters one less place to hide. I suppose it looks neater with the old pseudobulbs standing there naked but you've got to balance that with any possible damage you might accidentally do to living tissue during the removal process. Me, I'd leave them be.

Yes, I agree 100%.

If its anything like my coconut orchid there are roots under the sheath to bring up water to the upper bulbs. I clean off anything that is excessively loose and leave the rest.