Aggressive Mother Plant Management (Defoliation / Lollipopping / Topping)

On our facilities we apply an aggressive plant management strategy, combining defoliation, lollipopping and topping, depending on the structure and purpose of each specimen. This approach is mainly used on large, long-term mother plants.

When a mother specimen becomes overly dense, the internal plant structure loses proper airflow and develops its own humid microclimate, independent of the room’s environmental parameters. Even with correct temperature and RH in the room, humidity can remain trapped within the plant mass.

This environment significantly increases the risk of whitefly infestation. Whiteflies weaken specimens by feeding on sap and also act as vectors for viral pathogens, which represents one of the most critical risks when maintaining mother stock over extended periods.

The objective of this aggressive defoliation strategy is to:

• eliminate internal humidity pockets
• restore airflow through the plant structure
• reduce pest pressure and disease risk
• maintain long-term vigor and stability of the specimens

This process is performed approximately every three weeks whenever possible, adjusted according to growth rate and plant response. Consistent, proactive maintenance is significantly more effective than corrective actions once issues appear.

This practice is functional rather than cosmetic, and is focused on plant health, hygiene, and long-term operational stability.