diff --git a/docs/documentation/features.md b/docs/documentation/features.md
index b4cbd1f2fd..d8e1cfa642 100644
--- a/docs/documentation/features.md
+++ b/docs/documentation/features.md
@@ -711,7 +711,29 @@ setting, where this flag usually needs to be set to false, in order to control t
 See also an example implementation in the 
 [WebPage sample](https://github.com/java-operator-sdk/java-operator-sdk/blob/3e2e7c4c834ef1c409d636156b988125744ca911/sample-operators/webpage/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/WebPageOperator.java#L38-L43)
 
-## Monitoring with Micrometer
+## Optimization of Caches
+
+** Cache pruning is an experimental feature. Might a subject of change or even removal in the future. **
+
+Operators using informers will initially cache the data for all known resources when starting up 
+so that access to resources can be performed quickly. Consequently, the memory required for the 
+operator to run and startup time will both increase quite dramatically when dealing with large
+clusters with numerous resources. 
+
+It is thus possible to configure the operator to cache only pruned versions of the resources to 
+alleviate the memory usage of the primary and secondary caches. This setup, however, has 
+implications on how reconcilers deal with resources since they will only work with partial 
+objects. As a consequence, resources need to be updated using PATCH operations only, sending 
+only required changes. 
+
+To see how to use, and how to handle related caveats regarding how to deal with pruned objects 
+that leverage  
+[server side apply](https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/using-api/server-side-apply/) patches, 
+please check the provided
+[integration test](https://github.com/java-operator-sdk/java-operator-sdk/blob/c688524e64205690ba15587e7ed96a64dc231430/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/CachePruneIT.java) 
+and associates reconciler.
+
+Pruned caches are currently not supported with the Dependent Resources feature.
 
 ## Automatic Generation of CRDs
 
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/AnnotationControllerConfiguration.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/AnnotationControllerConfiguration.java
index 43c61319ac..b996eeead9 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/AnnotationControllerConfiguration.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/AnnotationControllerConfiguration.java
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.function.Function;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.HasMetadata;
@@ -83,6 +84,14 @@ public Set<String> getNamespaces() {
         DEFAULT_NAMESPACES_SET.toArray(String[]::new)));
   }
 
+  @Override
+  @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+  public Optional<UnaryOperator<P>> cachePruneFunction() {
+    return Optional.ofNullable(
+        Utils.instantiate(annotation.cachePruneFunction(), UnaryOperator.class,
+            Utils.contextFor(this, null, null)));
+  }
+
   @Override
   @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
   public Class<P> getResourceClass() {
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/ControllerConfigurationOverrider.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/ControllerConfigurationOverrider.java
index c36aa51d2e..1f5494050e 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/ControllerConfigurationOverrider.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/ControllerConfigurationOverrider.java
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.HasMetadata;
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ public class ControllerConfigurationOverrider<R extends HasMetadata> {
   private OnUpdateFilter<R> onUpdateFilter;
   private GenericFilter<R> genericFilter;
   private RateLimiter rateLimiter;
+  private UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction;
 
   private ControllerConfigurationOverrider(ControllerConfiguration<R> original) {
     finalizer = original.getFinalizerName();
@@ -56,6 +58,7 @@ private ControllerConfigurationOverrider(ControllerConfiguration<R> original) {
     dependentResources.forEach(drs -> namedDependentResourceSpecs.put(drs.getName(), drs));
     this.original = original;
     this.rateLimiter = original.getRateLimiter();
+    this.cachePruneFunction = original.cachePruneFunction().orElse(null);
   }
 
   public ControllerConfigurationOverrider<R> withFinalizer(String finalizer) {
@@ -158,6 +161,12 @@ public ControllerConfigurationOverrider<R> withGenericFilter(GenericFilter<R> ge
     return this;
   }
 
+  public ControllerConfigurationOverrider<R> withCachePruneFunction(
+      UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction) {
+    this.cachePruneFunction = cachePruneFunction;
+    return this;
+  }
+
   @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
   public ControllerConfigurationOverrider<R> replacingNamedDependentResourceConfig(String name,
       Object dependentResourceConfig) {
@@ -208,7 +217,7 @@ public ControllerConfiguration<R> build() {
         onUpdateFilter,
         genericFilter,
         rateLimiter,
-        newDependentSpecs);
+        newDependentSpecs, cachePruneFunction);
   }
 
   public static <R extends HasMetadata> ControllerConfigurationOverrider<R> override(
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/DefaultControllerConfiguration.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/DefaultControllerConfiguration.java
index 3f4d952133..f6277c4139 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/DefaultControllerConfiguration.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/DefaultControllerConfiguration.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
 
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.HasMetadata;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.dependent.DependentResourceSpec;
@@ -49,8 +50,10 @@ public DefaultControllerConfiguration(
       OnUpdateFilter<R> onUpdateFilter,
       GenericFilter<R> genericFilter,
       RateLimiter rateLimiter,
-      List<DependentResourceSpec> dependents) {
-    super(labelSelector, resourceClass, onAddFilter, onUpdateFilter, genericFilter, namespaces);
+      List<DependentResourceSpec> dependents,
+      UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction) {
+    super(labelSelector, resourceClass, onAddFilter, onUpdateFilter, genericFilter, namespaces,
+        cachePruneFunction);
     this.associatedControllerClassName = associatedControllerClassName;
     this.name = name;
     this.crdName = crdName;
@@ -116,4 +119,5 @@ public Optional<Duration> maxReconciliationInterval() {
   public RateLimiter getRateLimiter() {
     return rateLimiter;
   }
+
 }
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/DefaultResourceConfiguration.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/DefaultResourceConfiguration.java
index 9bc6ce5dba..8e42284a25 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/DefaultResourceConfiguration.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/DefaultResourceConfiguration.java
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
 
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.HasMetadata;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.filter.GenericFilter;
@@ -19,18 +20,23 @@ public class DefaultResourceConfiguration<R extends HasMetadata>
   private final OnAddFilter<R> onAddFilter;
   private final OnUpdateFilter<R> onUpdateFilter;
   private final GenericFilter<R> genericFilter;
+  private final UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction;
 
   public DefaultResourceConfiguration(String labelSelector, Class<R> resourceClass,
       OnAddFilter<R> onAddFilter,
       OnUpdateFilter<R> onUpdateFilter, GenericFilter<R> genericFilter, String... namespaces) {
     this(labelSelector, resourceClass, onAddFilter, onUpdateFilter, genericFilter,
         namespaces == null || namespaces.length == 0 ? DEFAULT_NAMESPACES_SET
-            : Set.of(namespaces));
+            : Set.of(namespaces),
+        null);
   }
 
   public DefaultResourceConfiguration(String labelSelector, Class<R> resourceClass,
       OnAddFilter<R> onAddFilter,
-      OnUpdateFilter<R> onUpdateFilter, GenericFilter<R> genericFilter, Set<String> namespaces) {
+      OnUpdateFilter<R> onUpdateFilter,
+      GenericFilter<R> genericFilter,
+      Set<String> namespaces,
+      UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction) {
     this.labelSelector = labelSelector;
     this.resourceClass = resourceClass;
     this.onAddFilter = onAddFilter;
@@ -39,6 +45,7 @@ public DefaultResourceConfiguration(String labelSelector, Class<R> resourceClass
     this.namespaces =
         namespaces == null || namespaces.isEmpty() ? DEFAULT_NAMESPACES_SET
             : namespaces;
+    this.cachePruneFunction = cachePruneFunction;
   }
 
   @Override
@@ -56,6 +63,11 @@ public Set<String> getNamespaces() {
     return namespaces;
   }
 
+  @Override
+  public Optional<UnaryOperator<R>> cachePruneFunction() {
+    return Optional.ofNullable(this.cachePruneFunction);
+  }
+
   @Override
   public Class<R> getResourceClass() {
     return resourceClass;
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/ResourceConfiguration.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/ResourceConfiguration.java
index 90e18f3e52..6a6574182a 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/ResourceConfiguration.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/ResourceConfiguration.java
@@ -3,11 +3,13 @@
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
 
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.HasMetadata;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.OperatorException;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.ReconcilerUtils;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.reconciler.Constants;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.reconciler.ControllerConfiguration;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.filter.GenericFilter;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.filter.OnAddFilter;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.filter.OnUpdateFilter;
@@ -108,4 +110,11 @@ default Set<String> getEffectiveNamespaces() {
     }
     return targetNamespaces;
   }
+
+  /**
+   * See {@link ControllerConfiguration#cachePruneFunction()} for details.
+   */
+  default Optional<UnaryOperator<R>> cachePruneFunction() {
+    return Optional.empty();
+  }
 }
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/informer/InformerConfiguration.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/informer/InformerConfiguration.java
index 52f71501a9..03e37863df 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/informer/InformerConfiguration.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/config/informer/InformerConfiguration.java
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
 
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.HasMetadata;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.DefaultResourceConfiguration;
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ class DefaultInformerConfiguration<R extends HasMetadata> extends
     private final SecondaryToPrimaryMapper<R> secondaryToPrimaryMapper;
     private final boolean followControllerNamespaceChanges;
     private final OnDeleteFilter<R> onDeleteFilter;
+    private final UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction;
 
     protected DefaultInformerConfiguration(String labelSelector,
         Class<R> resourceClass,
@@ -38,8 +40,10 @@ protected DefaultInformerConfiguration(String labelSelector,
         OnAddFilter<R> onAddFilter,
         OnUpdateFilter<R> onUpdateFilter,
         OnDeleteFilter<R> onDeleteFilter,
-        GenericFilter<R> genericFilter) {
-      super(labelSelector, resourceClass, onAddFilter, onUpdateFilter, genericFilter, namespaces);
+        GenericFilter<R> genericFilter,
+        UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction) {
+      super(labelSelector, resourceClass, onAddFilter, onUpdateFilter, genericFilter, namespaces,
+          cachePruneFunction);
       this.followControllerNamespaceChanges = followControllerNamespaceChanges;
 
       this.primaryToSecondaryMapper = primaryToSecondaryMapper;
@@ -47,6 +51,7 @@ protected DefaultInformerConfiguration(String labelSelector,
           Objects.requireNonNullElse(secondaryToPrimaryMapper,
               Mappers.fromOwnerReference());
       this.onDeleteFilter = onDeleteFilter;
+      this.cachePruneFunction = cachePruneFunction;
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -67,6 +72,11 @@ public Optional<OnDeleteFilter<R>> onDeleteFilter() {
     public <P extends HasMetadata> PrimaryToSecondaryMapper<P> getPrimaryToSecondaryMapper() {
       return (PrimaryToSecondaryMapper<P>) primaryToSecondaryMapper;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public Optional<UnaryOperator<R>> cachePruneFunction() {
+      return Optional.ofNullable(this.cachePruneFunction);
+    }
   }
 
   /**
@@ -102,6 +112,7 @@ class InformerConfigurationBuilder<R extends HasMetadata> {
     private OnDeleteFilter<R> onDeleteFilter;
     private GenericFilter<R> genericFilter;
     private boolean inheritControllerNamespacesOnChange = false;
+    private UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction;
 
     private InformerConfigurationBuilder(Class<R> resourceClass) {
       this.resourceClass = resourceClass;
@@ -202,12 +213,18 @@ public InformerConfigurationBuilder<R> withGenericFilter(GenericFilter<R> generi
       return this;
     }
 
+    public InformerConfigurationBuilder<R> withCachePruneFunction(
+        UnaryOperator<R> cachePruneFunction) {
+      this.cachePruneFunction = cachePruneFunction;
+      return this;
+    }
+
     public InformerConfiguration<R> build() {
       return new DefaultInformerConfiguration<>(labelSelector, resourceClass,
           primaryToSecondaryMapper,
           secondaryToPrimaryMapper,
           namespaces, inheritControllerNamespacesOnChange, onAddFilter, onUpdateFilter,
-          onDeleteFilter, genericFilter);
+          onDeleteFilter, genericFilter, cachePruneFunction);
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/reconciler/ControllerConfiguration.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/reconciler/ControllerConfiguration.java
index ec76adf89d..df3efa7d40 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/reconciler/ControllerConfiguration.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/api/reconciler/ControllerConfiguration.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
 import java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy;
 import java.lang.annotation.Target;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
 
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.reconciler.dependent.Dependent;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.rate.LinearRateLimiter;
@@ -118,4 +119,25 @@ MaxReconciliationInterval maxReconciliationInterval() default @MaxReconciliation
    *         accessible no-arg constructor.
    */
   Class<? extends RateLimiter> rateLimiter() default LinearRateLimiter.class;
+
+  /**
+   * <p>
+   * <b>This is an experimental feature, might be a subject of change and even removal in the
+   * future.</b>
+   * </p>
+   * <p>
+   * In order to optimize cache, thus set null on some attributes, this function can be set. Note
+   * that this has subtle implications how updates on the resources should be handled. Notably only
+   * patching of the resource can be used from that point, since update would remove not cached
+   * parts of the resource.
+   * </p>
+   * <p>
+   * Note that this feature does not work with Dependent Resources.
+   * </p>
+   *
+   *
+   *
+   * @return function to remove parts of the resource.
+   */
+  Class<? extends UnaryOperator> cachePruneFunction() default UnaryOperator.class;
 }
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/ReconciliationDispatcher.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/ReconciliationDispatcher.java
index 015a2f5c31..4a7ac68082 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/ReconciliationDispatcher.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/ReconciliationDispatcher.java
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event;
 
+import java.util.function.Function;
+
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
 
@@ -10,6 +12,8 @@
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.KubernetesClientException;
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.dsl.MixedOperation;
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.dsl.Resource;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.dsl.base.PatchContext;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.dsl.base.PatchType;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.OperatorException;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.ObservedGenerationAware;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.ConfigurationServiceProvider;
@@ -82,7 +86,7 @@ private PostExecutionControl<P> handleDispatch(ExecutionScope<P> executionScope)
     Context<P> context =
         new DefaultContext<>(executionScope.getRetryInfo(), controller, originalResource);
     if (markedForDeletion) {
-      return handleCleanup(resourceForExecution, context);
+      return handleCleanup(originalResource, resourceForExecution, context);
     } else {
       return handleReconcile(executionScope, resourceForExecution, originalResource, context);
     }
@@ -109,7 +113,8 @@ private PostExecutionControl<P> handleReconcile(
        * finalizer add. This will make sure that the resources are not created before there is a
        * finalizer.
        */
-      var updatedResource = updateCustomResourceWithFinalizer(originalResource);
+      var updatedResource =
+          updateCustomResourceWithFinalizer(resourceForExecution, originalResource);
       return PostExecutionControl.onlyFinalizerAdded(updatedResource);
     } else {
       try {
@@ -276,7 +281,8 @@ private void updatePostExecutionControlWithReschedule(
   }
 
 
-  private PostExecutionControl<P> handleCleanup(P resource, Context<P> context) {
+  private PostExecutionControl<P> handleCleanup(P originalResource, P resource,
+      Context<P> context) {
     log.debug(
         "Executing delete for resource: {} with version: {}",
         getName(resource),
@@ -289,7 +295,8 @@ private PostExecutionControl<P> handleCleanup(P resource, Context<P> context) {
       // cleanup is finished, nothing left to done
       final var finalizerName = configuration().getFinalizerName();
       if (deleteControl.isRemoveFinalizer() && resource.hasFinalizer(finalizerName)) {
-        P customResource = removeFinalizer(resource, finalizerName);
+        P customResource = conflictRetryingPatch(resource, originalResource,
+            r -> r.removeFinalizer(finalizerName));
         return PostExecutionControl.customResourceFinalizerRemoved(customResource);
       }
     }
@@ -304,11 +311,13 @@ private PostExecutionControl<P> handleCleanup(P resource, Context<P> context) {
     return postExecutionControl;
   }
 
-  private P updateCustomResourceWithFinalizer(P resource) {
+  private P updateCustomResourceWithFinalizer(P resourceForExecution, P originalResource) {
     log.debug(
-        "Adding finalizer for resource: {} version: {}", getUID(resource), getVersion(resource));
-    resource.addFinalizer(configuration().getFinalizerName());
-    return customResourceFacade.updateResource(resource);
+        "Adding finalizer for resource: {} version: {}", getUID(originalResource),
+        getVersion(originalResource));
+
+    return conflictRetryingPatch(resourceForExecution, originalResource,
+        r -> r.addFinalizer(configuration().getFinalizerName()));
   }
 
   private P updateCustomResource(P resource) {
@@ -321,20 +330,21 @@ ControllerConfiguration<P> configuration() {
     return controller.getConfiguration();
   }
 
-  public P removeFinalizer(P resource, String finalizer) {
+  public P conflictRetryingPatch(P resource, P originalResource,
+      Function<P, Boolean> modificationFunction) {
     if (log.isDebugEnabled()) {
       log.debug("Removing finalizer on resource: {}", ResourceID.fromResource(resource));
     }
     int retryIndex = 0;
     while (true) {
       try {
-        var removed = resource.removeFinalizer(finalizer);
-        if (!removed) {
+        var modified = modificationFunction.apply(resource);
+        if (Boolean.FALSE.equals(modified)) {
           return resource;
         }
-        return customResourceFacade.updateResource(resource);
+        return customResourceFacade.serverSideApplyLockResource(resource, originalResource);
       } catch (KubernetesClientException e) {
-        log.trace("Exception during finalizer removal for resource: {}", resource);
+        log.trace("Exception during patch for resource: {}", resource);
         retryIndex++;
         // only retry on conflict (HTTP 409), otherwise fail
         if (e.getCode() != 409) {
@@ -343,7 +353,7 @@ public P removeFinalizer(P resource, String finalizer) {
         if (retryIndex >= MAX_FINALIZER_REMOVAL_RETRY) {
           throw new OperatorException(
               "Exceeded maximum (" + MAX_FINALIZER_REMOVAL_RETRY
-                  + ") retry attempts to remove finalizer '" + finalizer + "' for resource "
+                  + ") retry attempts to patch resource: "
                   + ResourceID.fromResource(resource));
         }
         resource = customResourceFacade.getResource(resource.getMetadata().getNamespace(),
@@ -370,12 +380,18 @@ public R getResource(String namespace, String name) {
       }
     }
 
+    public R serverSideApplyLockResource(R resource, R originalResource) {
+      var patchContext = PatchContext.of(PatchType.SERVER_SIDE_APPLY);
+      patchContext.setForce(true);
+      return resource(originalResource).patch(patchContext,
+          resource);
+    }
+
     public R updateResource(R resource) {
       log.debug(
           "Trying to replace resource {}, version: {}",
           getName(resource),
           resource.getMetadata().getResourceVersion());
-
       return resource(resource).lockResourceVersion(resource.getMetadata().getResourceVersion())
           .replace();
     }
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/InformerManager.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/InformerManager.java
index d51301c385..94788e6706 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/InformerManager.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/InformerManager.java
@@ -109,8 +109,11 @@ private InformerWrapper<T> createEventSourceForNamespace(String namespace) {
   private InformerWrapper<T> createEventSource(
       FilterWatchListDeletable<T, KubernetesResourceList<T>, Resource<T>> filteredBySelectorClient,
       ResourceEventHandler<T> eventHandler, String namespaceIdentifier) {
+    var informer = filteredBySelectorClient.runnableInformer(0);
+    configuration.cachePruneFunction()
+        .ifPresent(f -> informer.itemStore(new TransformingItemStore<>(f)));
     var source =
-        new InformerWrapper<>(filteredBySelectorClient.runnableInformer(0), namespaceIdentifier);
+        new InformerWrapper<>(informer, namespaceIdentifier);
     source.addEventHandler(eventHandler);
     sources.put(namespaceIdentifier, source);
     return source;
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/InformerWrapper.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/InformerWrapper.java
index 8809022e95..17dc5cc969 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/InformerWrapper.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/InformerWrapper.java
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ public InformerWrapper(SharedIndexInformer<T> informer, String namespaceIdentifi
     this.informer = informer;
     this.namespaceIdentifier = namespaceIdentifier;
     this.cache = (Cache<T>) informer.getStore();
-
   }
 
   @Override
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/ManagedInformerEventSource.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/ManagedInformerEventSource.java
index 43173a28f7..4286335644 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/ManagedInformerEventSource.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/ManagedInformerEventSource.java
@@ -36,13 +36,15 @@ public abstract class ManagedInformerEventSource<R extends HasMetadata, P extend
 
   private static final Logger log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(ManagedInformerEventSource.class);
 
-  protected TemporaryResourceCache<R> temporaryResourceCache = new TemporaryResourceCache<>(this);
+  protected TemporaryResourceCache<R> temporaryResourceCache;
   protected InformerManager<R, C> cache = new InformerManager<>();
   protected C configuration;
 
   protected ManagedInformerEventSource(
       MixedOperation<R, KubernetesResourceList<R>, Resource<R>> client, C configuration) {
     super(configuration.getResourceClass());
+    temporaryResourceCache = new TemporaryResourceCache<>(this,
+        configuration.cachePruneFunction().orElse(null));
     manager().initSources(client, configuration, this);
     this.configuration = configuration;
   }
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TemporaryResourceCache.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TemporaryResourceCache.java
index c0c041f3fb..0af2ec0b2f 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TemporaryResourceCache.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TemporaryResourceCache.java
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
 
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
@@ -34,11 +35,14 @@ public class TemporaryResourceCache<T extends HasMetadata> {
 
   private static final Logger log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(TemporaryResourceCache.class);
 
+  private UnaryOperator<T> cachePruneFunction;
   private final Map<ResourceID, T> cache = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
   private final ManagedInformerEventSource<T, ?, ?> managedInformerEventSource;
 
-  public TemporaryResourceCache(ManagedInformerEventSource<T, ?, ?> managedInformerEventSource) {
+  public TemporaryResourceCache(ManagedInformerEventSource<T, ?, ?> managedInformerEventSource,
+      UnaryOperator<T> cachePruneFunction) {
     this.managedInformerEventSource = managedInformerEventSource;
+    this.cachePruneFunction = cachePruneFunction;
   }
 
   public synchronized void removeResourceFromCache(T resource) {
@@ -46,14 +50,14 @@ public synchronized void removeResourceFromCache(T resource) {
   }
 
   public synchronized void unconditionallyCacheResource(T newResource) {
-    cache.put(ResourceID.fromResource(newResource), newResource);
+    putToCache(newResource, null);
   }
 
   public synchronized void putAddedResource(T newResource) {
     ResourceID resourceID = ResourceID.fromResource(newResource);
     if (managedInformerEventSource.get(resourceID).isEmpty()) {
       log.debug("Putting resource to cache with ID: {}", resourceID);
-      cache.put(resourceID, newResource);
+      putToCache(newResource, resourceID);
     } else {
       log.debug("Won't put resource into cache found already informer cache: {}", resourceID);
     }
@@ -70,7 +74,7 @@ public synchronized void putUpdatedResource(T newResource, String previousResour
     if (informerCacheResource.get().getMetadata().getResourceVersion()
         .equals(previousResourceVersion)) {
       log.debug("Putting resource to temporal cache with id: {}", resourceId);
-      cache.put(resourceId, newResource);
+      putToCache(newResource, resourceId);
     } else {
       // if something is in cache it's surely obsolete now
       log.debug("Trying to remove an obsolete resource from cache for id: {}", resourceId);
@@ -78,6 +82,13 @@ public synchronized void putUpdatedResource(T newResource, String previousResour
     }
   }
 
+  private void putToCache(T resource, ResourceID resourceID) {
+    if (cachePruneFunction != null) {
+      resource = cachePruneFunction.apply(resource);
+    }
+    cache.put(resourceID == null ? ResourceID.fromResource(resource) : resourceID, resource);
+  }
+
   public synchronized Optional<T> getResourceFromCache(ResourceID resourceID) {
     return Optional.ofNullable(cache.get(resourceID));
   }
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TransformingItemStore.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TransformingItemStore.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..60fdd32005
--- /dev/null
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TransformingItemStore.java
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.informer;
+
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.function.Function;
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
+import java.util.stream.Stream;
+
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.HasMetadata;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.informers.cache.Cache;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.informers.cache.ItemStore;
+
+public class TransformingItemStore<R extends HasMetadata> implements ItemStore<R> {
+
+  private Function<R, String> keyFunction;
+  private UnaryOperator<R> transformationFunction;
+  private ConcurrentHashMap<String, R> store = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+
+  public TransformingItemStore(UnaryOperator<R> transformationFunction) {
+    this(Cache::metaNamespaceKeyFunc, transformationFunction);
+  }
+
+  public TransformingItemStore(Function<R, String> keyFunction,
+      UnaryOperator<R> transformationFunction) {
+    this.keyFunction = keyFunction;
+    this.transformationFunction = transformationFunction;
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public String getKey(R obj) {
+    return keyFunction.apply(obj);
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public R put(String key, R obj) {
+    var originalName = obj.getMetadata().getName();
+    var originalNamespace = obj.getMetadata().getNamespace();
+    var originalResourceVersion = obj.getMetadata().getResourceVersion();
+
+    var transformed = transformationFunction.apply(obj);
+
+    transformed.getMetadata().setName(originalName);
+    transformed.getMetadata().setNamespace(originalNamespace);
+    transformed.getMetadata().setResourceVersion(originalResourceVersion);
+    return store.put(key, transformed);
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public R remove(String key) {
+    return store.remove(key);
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public Stream<String> keySet() {
+    return store.keySet().stream();
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public Stream<R> values() {
+    return store.values().stream();
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public R get(String key) {
+    return store.get(key);
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public int size() {
+    return store.size();
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public boolean isFullState() {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/ControllerManagerTest.java b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/ControllerManagerTest.java
index d788f61e4a..94af637b38 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/ControllerManagerTest.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/ControllerManagerTest.java
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ private static class TestControllerConfiguration<R extends HasMetadata>
     public TestControllerConfiguration(Reconciler<R> controller, Class<R> crClass) {
       super(null, getControllerName(controller),
           CustomResource.getCRDName(crClass), null, false, null, null, null, null, crClass,
-          null, null, null, null, null, null);
+          null, null, null, null, null, null, null);
       this.controller = controller;
     }
 
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/ReconciliationDispatcherTest.java b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/ReconciliationDispatcherTest.java
index 892fffcdbb..bdda20f08b 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/ReconciliationDispatcherTest.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/ReconciliationDispatcherTest.java
@@ -22,10 +22,7 @@
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.MockKubernetesClient;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.OperatorException;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.TestUtils;
-import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.Cloner;
-import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.ConfigurationServiceProvider;
-import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.ControllerConfiguration;
-import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.MockControllerConfiguration;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.*;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.reconciler.Cleaner;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.reconciler.Context;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.reconciler.DeleteControl;
@@ -137,8 +134,9 @@ void addFinalizerOnNewResource() {
     verify(reconciler, never())
         .reconcile(ArgumentMatchers.eq(testCustomResource), any());
     verify(customResourceFacade, times(1))
-        .updateResource(
-            argThat(testCustomResource -> testCustomResource.hasFinalizer(DEFAULT_FINALIZER)));
+        .serverSideApplyLockResource(
+            argThat(testCustomResource -> testCustomResource.hasFinalizer(DEFAULT_FINALIZER)),
+            any());
     assertThat(testCustomResource.hasFinalizer(DEFAULT_FINALIZER)).isTrue();
   }
 
@@ -218,7 +216,8 @@ void removesDefaultFinalizerOnDeleteIfSet() {
         reconciliationDispatcher.handleExecution(executionScopeWithCREvent(testCustomResource));
 
     assertThat(postExecControl.isFinalizerRemoved()).isTrue();
-    verify(customResourceFacade, times(1)).updateResource(testCustomResource);
+    verify(customResourceFacade, times(1)).serverSideApplyLockResource(testCustomResource,
+        testCustomResource);
   }
 
   @Test
@@ -227,7 +226,7 @@ void retriesFinalizerRemovalWithFreshResource() {
     markForDeletion(testCustomResource);
     var resourceWithFinalizer = TestUtils.testCustomResource();
     resourceWithFinalizer.addFinalizer(DEFAULT_FINALIZER);
-    when(customResourceFacade.updateResource(testCustomResource))
+    when(customResourceFacade.serverSideApplyLockResource(testCustomResource, testCustomResource))
         .thenThrow(new KubernetesClientException(null, 409, null))
         .thenReturn(testCustomResource);
     when(customResourceFacade.getResource(any(), any())).thenReturn(resourceWithFinalizer);
@@ -236,7 +235,7 @@ void retriesFinalizerRemovalWithFreshResource() {
         reconciliationDispatcher.handleExecution(executionScopeWithCREvent(testCustomResource));
 
     assertThat(postExecControl.isFinalizerRemoved()).isTrue();
-    verify(customResourceFacade, times(2)).updateResource(any());
+    verify(customResourceFacade, times(2)).serverSideApplyLockResource(any(), any());
     verify(customResourceFacade, times(1)).getResource(any(), any());
   }
 
@@ -244,7 +243,7 @@ void retriesFinalizerRemovalWithFreshResource() {
   void throwsExceptionIfFinalizerRemovalRetryExceeded() {
     testCustomResource.addFinalizer(DEFAULT_FINALIZER);
     markForDeletion(testCustomResource);
-    when(customResourceFacade.updateResource(any()))
+    when(customResourceFacade.serverSideApplyLockResource(any(), any()))
         .thenThrow(new KubernetesClientException(null, 409, null));
     when(customResourceFacade.getResource(any(), any()))
         .thenAnswer((Answer<TestCustomResource>) invocationOnMock -> createResourceWithFinalizer());
@@ -256,7 +255,9 @@ void throwsExceptionIfFinalizerRemovalRetryExceeded() {
     assertThat(postExecControl.getRuntimeException()).isPresent();
     assertThat(postExecControl.getRuntimeException().get())
         .isInstanceOf(OperatorException.class);
-    verify(customResourceFacade, times(MAX_FINALIZER_REMOVAL_RETRY)).updateResource(any());
+    verify(customResourceFacade, times(MAX_FINALIZER_REMOVAL_RETRY)).serverSideApplyLockResource(
+        any(),
+        any());
     verify(customResourceFacade, times(MAX_FINALIZER_REMOVAL_RETRY - 1)).getResource(any(),
         any());
   }
@@ -265,7 +266,7 @@ void throwsExceptionIfFinalizerRemovalRetryExceeded() {
   void throwsExceptionIfFinalizerRemovalClientExceptionIsNotConflict() {
     testCustomResource.addFinalizer(DEFAULT_FINALIZER);
     markForDeletion(testCustomResource);
-    when(customResourceFacade.updateResource(any()))
+    when(customResourceFacade.serverSideApplyLockResource(any(), any()))
         .thenThrow(new KubernetesClientException(null, 400, null));
 
     var res =
@@ -273,7 +274,7 @@ void throwsExceptionIfFinalizerRemovalClientExceptionIsNotConflict() {
 
     assertThat(res.getRuntimeException()).isPresent();
     assertThat(res.getRuntimeException().get()).isInstanceOf(KubernetesClientException.class);
-    verify(customResourceFacade, times(1)).updateResource(any());
+    verify(customResourceFacade, times(1)).serverSideApplyLockResource(any(), any());
     verify(customResourceFacade, never()).getResource(any(), any());
   }
 
@@ -337,13 +338,14 @@ void doesNotUpdateTheResourceIfNoUpdateUpdateControlIfFinalizerSet() {
   void addsFinalizerIfNotMarkedForDeletionAndEmptyCustomResourceReturned() {
     removeFinalizers(testCustomResource);
     reconciler.reconcile = (r, c) -> UpdateControl.noUpdate();
-    when(customResourceFacade.updateResource(any())).thenReturn(testCustomResource);
+    when(customResourceFacade.serverSideApplyLockResource(any(), any()))
+        .thenReturn(testCustomResource);
 
     var postExecControl =
         reconciliationDispatcher.handleExecution(executionScopeWithCREvent(testCustomResource));
 
     assertEquals(1, testCustomResource.getMetadata().getFinalizers().size());
-    verify(customResourceFacade, times(1)).updateResource(any());
+    verify(customResourceFacade, times(1)).serverSideApplyLockResource(any(), any());
     assertThat(postExecControl.updateIsStatusPatch()).isFalse();
     assertThat(postExecControl.getUpdatedCustomResource()).isPresent();
   }
@@ -646,6 +648,24 @@ void canSkipSchedulingMaxDelayIf() {
     assertThat(control.getReScheduleDelay()).isNotPresent();
   }
 
+  @Test
+  void retriesAddingFinalizer() {
+    removeFinalizers(testCustomResource);
+    reconciler.reconcile = (r, c) -> UpdateControl.noUpdate();
+    when(customResourceFacade.serverSideApplyLockResource(any(), any()))
+        .thenThrow(new KubernetesClientException(null, 409, null))
+        .thenReturn(testCustomResource);
+    when(customResourceFacade.getResource(any(), any()))
+        .then((Answer<TestCustomResource>) invocationOnMock -> {
+          testCustomResource.getFinalizers().clear();
+          return testCustomResource;
+        });
+
+    reconciliationDispatcher.handleExecution(executionScopeWithCREvent(testCustomResource));
+
+    verify(customResourceFacade, times(2)).serverSideApplyLockResource(any(), any());
+  }
+
   private ObservedGenCustomResource createObservedGenCustomResource() {
     ObservedGenCustomResource observedGenCustomResource = new ObservedGenCustomResource();
     observedGenCustomResource.setMetadata(new ObjectMeta());
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/ResourceEventFilterTest.java b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/ResourceEventFilterTest.java
index 7cc5a20781..55ab40c173 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/ResourceEventFilterTest.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/ResourceEventFilterTest.java
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ public ControllerConfig(String finalizer, boolean generationAware,
           eventFilter,
           customResourceClass,
           null,
-          null, null, null, null, null);
+          null, null, null, null, null, null);
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/controller/ControllerResourceEventSourceTest.java b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/controller/ControllerResourceEventSourceTest.java
index 00980743e0..d30a69d694 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/controller/ControllerResourceEventSourceTest.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/controller/ControllerResourceEventSourceTest.java
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ public TestConfiguration(boolean generationAware, OnAddFilter<TestCustomResource
           null,
           TestCustomResource.class,
           null,
-          onAddFilter, onUpdateFilter, genericFilter, null, null);
+          onAddFilter, onUpdateFilter, genericFilter, null, null, null);
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TemporaryResourceCacheTest.java b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TemporaryResourceCacheTest.java
index 2af66a4abe..2e77a557ea 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TemporaryResourceCacheTest.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TemporaryResourceCacheTest.java
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.informer;
 
+import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Optional;
 
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ConfigMap;
-import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ObjectMeta;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ObjectMetaBuilder;
 import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.ResourceID;
 
 import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ class TemporaryResourceCacheTest {
   public static final String RESOURCE_VERSION = "1";
   private InformerEventSource<ConfigMap, ?> informerEventSource = mock(InformerEventSource.class);
   private TemporaryResourceCache<ConfigMap> temporaryResourceCache =
-      new TemporaryResourceCache<>(informerEventSource);
+      new TemporaryResourceCache<>(informerEventSource, null);
 
 
   @Test
@@ -79,6 +80,29 @@ void removesResourceFromCache() {
         .isNotPresent();
   }
 
+  @Test
+  void objectIsTransformedBeforePutIntoCache() {
+    temporaryResourceCache =
+        new TemporaryResourceCache<>(informerEventSource, r -> {
+          r.getMetadata().setLabels(null);
+          return r;
+        });
+
+    temporaryResourceCache.putAddedResource(testResource());
+    assertLabelsIsEmpty(temporaryResourceCache);
+
+    temporaryResourceCache.unconditionallyCacheResource(testResource());
+    assertLabelsIsEmpty(temporaryResourceCache);
+
+    temporaryResourceCache.unconditionallyCacheResource(testResource());
+    assertLabelsIsEmpty(temporaryResourceCache);
+  }
+
+  private void assertLabelsIsEmpty(TemporaryResourceCache<ConfigMap> temporaryResourceCache) {
+    assertThat(temporaryResourceCache.getResourceFromCache(ResourceID.fromResource(testResource()))
+        .orElseThrow().getMetadata().getLabels()).isNull();
+  }
+
   private ConfigMap propagateTestResourceToCache() {
     var testResource = testResource();
     when(informerEventSource.get(any())).thenReturn(Optional.empty());
@@ -90,7 +114,9 @@ private ConfigMap propagateTestResourceToCache() {
 
   ConfigMap testResource() {
     ConfigMap configMap = new ConfigMap();
-    configMap.setMetadata(new ObjectMeta());
+    configMap.setMetadata(new ObjectMetaBuilder()
+        .withLabels(Map.of("k", "v"))
+        .build());
     configMap.getMetadata().setName("test");
     configMap.getMetadata().setNamespace("default");
     configMap.getMetadata().setResourceVersion(RESOURCE_VERSION);
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TransformingItemStoreTest.java b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TransformingItemStoreTest.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3bebc79094
--- /dev/null
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/source/informer/TransformingItemStoreTest.java
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.informer;
+
+import java.util.Map;
+
+import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
+
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ConfigMap;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ObjectMetaBuilder;
+
+import static io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.informers.cache.Cache.metaNamespaceKeyFunc;
+import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
+
+class TransformingItemStoreTest {
+
+  @Test
+  void cachedObjectTransformed() {
+    TransformingItemStore<ConfigMap> transformingItemStore = new TransformingItemStore<>(r -> {
+      r.getMetadata().setLabels(null);
+      return r;
+    });
+
+    var cm = configMap();
+    cm.getMetadata().setLabels(Map.of("k", "v"));
+    transformingItemStore.put(metaNamespaceKeyFunc(cm), cm);
+
+    assertThat(transformingItemStore.get(metaNamespaceKeyFunc(cm)).getMetadata().getLabels())
+        .isNull();
+  }
+
+  @Test
+  void preservesSelectedAttributes() {
+    TransformingItemStore<ConfigMap> transformingItemStore = new TransformingItemStore<>(r -> {
+      r.getMetadata().setName(null);
+      r.getMetadata().setNamespace(null);
+      r.getMetadata().setResourceVersion(null);
+      return r;
+    });
+    var cm = configMap();
+    transformingItemStore.put(metaNamespaceKeyFunc(cm), cm);
+
+    assertThat(transformingItemStore.get(metaNamespaceKeyFunc(cm)).getMetadata().getName())
+        .isNotNull();
+    assertThat(transformingItemStore.get(metaNamespaceKeyFunc(cm)).getMetadata().getNamespace())
+        .isNotNull();
+    assertThat(
+        transformingItemStore.get(metaNamespaceKeyFunc(cm)).getMetadata().getResourceVersion())
+        .isNotNull();
+  }
+
+  ConfigMap configMap() {
+    var cm = new ConfigMap();
+    cm.setMetadata(new ObjectMetaBuilder()
+        .withName("test1")
+        .withNamespace("default").withResourceVersion("1")
+        .build());
+    return cm;
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/CachePruneIT.java b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/CachePruneIT.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9bf57ab372
--- /dev/null
+++ b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/CachePruneIT.java
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator;
+
+import java.time.Duration;
+import java.util.Map;
+
+import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
+import org.junit.jupiter.api.extension.RegisterExtension;
+
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ConfigMap;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ObjectMetaBuilder;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.junit.LocallyRunOperatorExtension;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune.CachePruneCustomResource;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune.CachePruneReconciler;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune.CachePruneSpec;
+
+import static io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune.CachePruneReconciler.DATA_KEY;
+import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
+import static org.awaitility.Awaitility.await;
+
+class CachePruneIT {
+
+  public static final String DEFAULT_DATA = "default_data";
+  public static final String TEST_RESOURCE_NAME = "test1";
+  public static final String UPDATED_DATA = "updated_data";
+
+  @RegisterExtension
+  LocallyRunOperatorExtension operator =
+      LocallyRunOperatorExtension.builder()
+          .withReconciler(new CachePruneReconciler()).build();
+
+  @Test
+  void pruningRelatedBehavior() {
+    var res = operator.create(testResource());
+    await().untilAsserted(() -> {
+      assertState(DEFAULT_DATA);
+    });
+
+    res.getSpec().setData(UPDATED_DATA);
+    var updated = operator.replace(res);
+
+    await().untilAsserted(() -> {
+      assertState(UPDATED_DATA);
+    });
+
+    operator.delete(updated);
+
+    await().atMost(Duration.ofSeconds(30)).untilAsserted(() -> {
+      var actual = operator.get(CachePruneCustomResource.class, TEST_RESOURCE_NAME);
+      var configMap = operator.get(ConfigMap.class, TEST_RESOURCE_NAME);
+      assertThat(configMap).isNull();
+      assertThat(actual).isNull();
+    });
+  }
+
+  void assertState(String expectedData) {
+    var actual = operator.get(CachePruneCustomResource.class, TEST_RESOURCE_NAME);
+    assertThat(actual.getMetadata()).isNotNull();
+    assertThat(actual.getMetadata().getFinalizers()).isNotEmpty();
+    assertThat(actual.getStatus().getCreated()).isTrue();
+    assertThat(actual.getMetadata().getLabels()).isNotEmpty();
+    var configMap = operator.get(ConfigMap.class, TEST_RESOURCE_NAME);
+    assertThat(configMap.getData()).containsEntry(DATA_KEY, expectedData);
+    assertThat(configMap.getMetadata().getLabels()).isNotEmpty();
+  }
+
+  CachePruneCustomResource testResource() {
+    var res = new CachePruneCustomResource();
+    res.setMetadata(new ObjectMetaBuilder()
+        .withName(TEST_RESOURCE_NAME)
+        .withLabels(Map.of("sampleLabel", "val"))
+        .build());
+    res.setSpec(new CachePruneSpec());
+    res.getSpec().setData(DEFAULT_DATA);
+    return res;
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneCustomResource.java b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneCustomResource.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..60431588fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneCustomResource.java
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune;
+
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.Namespaced;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.CustomResource;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.model.annotation.Group;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.model.annotation.ShortNames;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.model.annotation.Version;
+
+@Group("sample.javaoperatorsdk")
+@Version("v1")
+@ShortNames("cpr")
+public class CachePruneCustomResource
+    extends CustomResource<CachePruneSpec, CachePruneStatus>
+    implements Namespaced {
+}
diff --git a/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneReconciler.java b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneReconciler.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..236b205c2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneReconciler.java
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune;
+
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.Map;
+
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ConfigMap;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.ObjectMeta;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.KubernetesClient;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.dsl.base.PatchContext;
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.client.dsl.base.PatchType;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.ConfigurationServiceProvider;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.config.informer.InformerConfiguration;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.api.reconciler.*;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.junit.KubernetesClientAware;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.EventSource;
+import io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.processing.event.source.informer.InformerEventSource;
+
+@ControllerConfiguration(cachePruneFunction = LabelRemovingPruneFunction.class)
+public class CachePruneReconciler
+    implements Reconciler<CachePruneCustomResource>,
+    EventSourceInitializer<CachePruneCustomResource>,
+    Cleaner<CachePruneCustomResource>, KubernetesClientAware {
+
+  public static final String DATA_KEY = "data";
+  public static final String FIELD_MANAGER = "controller";
+  public static final String SECONDARY_CREATE_FIELD_MANAGER = "creator";
+  private KubernetesClient client;
+
+  @Override
+  public UpdateControl<CachePruneCustomResource> reconcile(
+      CachePruneCustomResource resource,
+      Context<CachePruneCustomResource> context) {
+    var configMap = context.getSecondaryResource(ConfigMap.class);
+    configMap.ifPresentOrElse(cm -> {
+      if (!cm.getMetadata().getLabels().isEmpty()) {
+        throw new AssertionError("Labels should be null");
+      }
+      if (!cm.getData().get(DATA_KEY)
+          .equals(resource.getSpec().getData())) {
+        var cloned = ConfigurationServiceProvider.instance().getResourceCloner().clone(cm);
+        cloned.getData().put(DATA_KEY, resource.getSpec().getData());
+        var patchContext = patchContextWithFieldManager(FIELD_MANAGER);
+        // setting new field manager since we don't control label anymore:
+        // since not the whole object is present in cache SSA would remove labels if the controller
+        // is not the manager.
+        // Note that JSON Merge Patch (or others would also work here, without this "hack".
+        patchContext.setForce(true);
+        patchContext.setFieldManager(FIELD_MANAGER);
+        client.configMaps().resource(cm)
+            .patch(patchContext, cloned);
+      }
+    }, () -> client.configMaps().resource(configMap(resource))
+        .patch(patchContextWithFieldManager(SECONDARY_CREATE_FIELD_MANAGER)));
+
+    resource.setStatus(new CachePruneStatus());
+    resource.getStatus().setCreated(true);
+    return UpdateControl.patchStatus(resource);
+  }
+
+  private PatchContext patchContextWithFieldManager(String fieldManager) {
+    PatchContext patchContext = new PatchContext();
+    // using server side apply
+    patchContext.setPatchType(PatchType.SERVER_SIDE_APPLY);
+    patchContext.setFieldManager(fieldManager);
+    return patchContext;
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public Map<String, EventSource> prepareEventSources(
+      EventSourceContext<CachePruneCustomResource> context) {
+    InformerEventSource<ConfigMap, CachePruneCustomResource> configMapEventSource =
+        new InformerEventSource<>(InformerConfiguration.from(ConfigMap.class, context)
+            .withCachePruneFunction(new LabelRemovingPruneFunction<>())
+            .build(),
+            context);
+    return EventSourceInitializer.nameEventSources(configMapEventSource);
+  }
+
+  ConfigMap configMap(CachePruneCustomResource resource) {
+    ConfigMap configMap = new ConfigMap();
+    configMap.setMetadata(new ObjectMeta());
+    configMap.getMetadata().setName(resource.getMetadata().getName());
+    configMap.getMetadata().setNamespace(resource.getMetadata().getNamespace());
+    configMap.setData(Map.of(DATA_KEY, resource.getSpec().getData()));
+    HashMap<String, String> labels = new HashMap<>();
+    labels.put("mylabel", "val");
+    configMap.getMetadata().setLabels(labels);
+    configMap.addOwnerReference(resource);
+    return configMap;
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public KubernetesClient getKubernetesClient() {
+    return client;
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public void setKubernetesClient(KubernetesClient kubernetesClient) {
+    this.client = kubernetesClient;
+  }
+
+  @Override
+  public DeleteControl cleanup(CachePruneCustomResource resource,
+      Context<CachePruneCustomResource> context) {
+    return DeleteControl.defaultDelete();
+  }
+}
diff --git a/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneSpec.java b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneSpec.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2d58a70d3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneSpec.java
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune;
+
+public class CachePruneSpec {
+
+  private String data;
+
+  public String getData() {
+    return data;
+  }
+
+  public CachePruneSpec setData(String data) {
+    this.data = data;
+    return this;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneStatus.java b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneStatus.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a074c0e011
--- /dev/null
+++ b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/CachePruneStatus.java
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune;
+
+public class CachePruneStatus {
+
+  private Boolean created;
+
+  public Boolean getCreated() {
+    return created;
+  }
+
+  public CachePruneStatus setCreated(Boolean created) {
+    this.created = created;
+    return this;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/LabelRemovingPruneFunction.java b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/LabelRemovingPruneFunction.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a495803628
--- /dev/null
+++ b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/sample/cacheprune/LabelRemovingPruneFunction.java
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+package io.javaoperatorsdk.operator.sample.cacheprune;
+
+import java.util.function.UnaryOperator;
+
+import io.fabric8.kubernetes.api.model.HasMetadata;
+
+public class LabelRemovingPruneFunction<R extends HasMetadata> implements UnaryOperator<R> {
+  @Override
+  public R apply(R r) {
+    r.getMetadata().setLabels(null);
+    return r;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/sample-operators/webpage/src/main/resources/log4j2.xml b/sample-operators/webpage/src/main/resources/log4j2.xml
index 5b794e7de3..3e92919d3b 100644
--- a/sample-operators/webpage/src/main/resources/log4j2.xml
+++ b/sample-operators/webpage/src/main/resources/log4j2.xml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 <Configuration status="WARN">
     <Appenders>
         <Console name="Console" target="SYSTEM_OUT">
-            <PatternLayout pattern="%style{%d}{yellow} %style{%-30c{1.}}{cyan} %highlight{[%-5level] %msg%n%throwable}{INFO=black}"/>
+            <PatternLayout pattern="%style{%d}{yellow} %tn %style{%-30c{1.}}{cyan} %highlight{[%-5level] %msg%n%throwable}{INFO=black}"/>
         </Console>
     </Appenders>
     <Loggers>