Aggressive Mother Plant Management (Defoliation / Lollipopping / Topping)

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

When a mother plant becomes too dense, the internal structure loses proper airflow, creating its own humid microclimate separate from the room’s environmental conditions. Even if temperature and RH are correct in the room, humidity can still get trapped inside the plant mass.

This environment greatly increases the risk of whitefly infestation. Whiteflies drain sap from plants, weakening them, and also serve as carriers for viral pathogens—one of the most critical risks when maintaining mother stock over long periods.

The goal of this aggressive defoliation strategy is to:

• eliminate trapped humidity pockets
• restore airflow through the plant structure
• reduce pest pressure and the risk of diseases
• maintain the vigor and long-term stability of the plants

This process is done about every three weeks whenever possible, adjusted according to growth speed and plant response. Regular, proactive maintenance is far more effective than waiting to correct issues once they appear.

This practice is functional, not just for looks, and is focused on plant health, hygiene, and ensuring long-term operational stability.