Imnewatthis, I think I did cover the cutting the leaves in half, here:
Half the leaf surface means less loss of moisture through the pores (stoma), it’s not really “directing” growth to other areas of the plant. And some don’t believe the practice is good, as is it does damage the plant a little and some growth will be slowed due to repair. The other way to help slow the loss of moisture through the plant’s leaves was mentioned by Latewood in that same previous post.
And products like “no wilt”, the waxy substance also kind of plugs up the stoma, doing much the same thing as halving the leaves, but with less stress to the plant.