perlite vs vermiculite for rooting

As a lightweight particle, perlite also prevents other organic ingredients from compacting one another. I have my Masters in Horticulture and have been working to advance hydroponic growing techniques for almost 30 years. Perlite retains air. Perlite and vermiculite are used to propagate new plants and seed cultivations. Since it’s light and easy to handle, it will easily mix with composted pine bark, peat, soil, fertilizers, pesticides, and other compost organic materials. For garden beds, spread a two-inch layer of perlite, then mix it into the top six to 12 inches of soil. This rumor is due to some vermiculite that happened to be contaminated with asbestos in a mine in Libby, Montana, which was closed in 1990 due to the contamination. Using vermiculite for plants like these could lead to root rot or death. It is an all-natural mineral product that is mined out of the ground and then processed into a soil additive that mainly increases water retention and nutrient retention levels in soil. Although perlite does resemble Styrofoam, it is not Styrofoam. Their differences lie in their origins and uses. Both perlite and vermiculite are put to use in the garden to improve drainage, prevent compacted soil and increase moisture retention. Vermiculite is an all-natural mineral product that increases nutrient retention levels and water retention. rooting hormone (optional) Olivia's Cloning Solution or OT1 cloning solution (optional) heating pad (optional) Perlite and vermiculite, combined at a 1:1 ratio, make an effective, cheap, and widely available cloning medium. Perlite is formed by molten (magmatic) rock, also known as volcanic glass. Perlite vs Vermiculite: 2 Very Different Mineral-Based Growing Media (+When To Use Each) June 22, 2020 by Naveedh Samad If you’ve ever stood clueless at your local gardening center trying to decide whether perlite or vermiculite is best for your plants, this is the right article for you. It’s formed when obsidian comes into contact with water, creating a unique volcanic glass with high water content. Vermiculite is great in pot mixes. Perlite and vermiculite contain spaces in the particles for better aeration, allowing the root of the plant to take more oxygen. Save On LED Grow Lights, Grow Tent Kits, Hydroponic Systems & Much More During Our 12 Days of Deals Sale! Add vermiculite to soil when you’re making a seed starting mixture or whenever your plants need water to stay locked into soil so it’s consistently moist. You can pick which medium you want to use based on the unique needs of the plants that you’re growing. You can use straight perlite or vermiculite to root cuttings, or add to soil-less mixes, either one or both will be fine. The high water retention of vermiculite can suffocate your plants if you aren’t careful. The final product looks like small pellets composed of many layers. Unlike perlite, vermiculite isn’t known to provide excellent aeration as it works as more of a sponge and absorbs more water than perlite. If your clay soil could use a boost of organic material, use half perlite and half peat for this process. Add perlite to your soil for plants which need their soil to dry out between waterings, such as cacti or succulents. Cuttings can use this mix too, or you can up the perlite to 100 percent. Perlite can help water drain out of your soil, while vermiculite retains the water. Here’s when to use perlite vs vermiculite. Neither medium will rot, deteriorate, or decompose. How much perlite to add depends on what you want to grow. Perlite and pumice are two coarse, pebblelike materials that are mixed into potting mediums to help aeration and water drainage for plant roots. Its water-holding capabilities make vermiculite a suitable anti-caking agent in dry fertilizers and pesticides while its high cation-exchange capacity helps it store nutrients for later use. Much more than perlite. The complete soil recipe consists of one third vermiculite, one third compost, and one third peat moss. Perlite contains an amount of alkaline between 7.0 and 7.5 pH, which makes it a bit dangerous of used too much. I’ve talked about how perlite is useful for starting seeds, and rooting propagated cuttings because of its sterile nature and ability to drain excess water quickly. If you are standing in the gardening center, trying to figure out which additive your soil needs the most, wondering what the difference is between perlite and vermiculite, then this article is for you. If your soil is of poor quality, adding half the soil’s weight in vermiculite (add it deep in the container) can quickly improve the quality. This is just another look at how the beans are doing and some growth comparisons Perlite is also the best option for planting epiphytes, cacti, succulents, and other plants that require plenty of drainage and aeration (and can tolerate a slightly higher pH level). Vermiculite is also a great choice when you’re working with plants that are susceptible to damping off or other fungal diseases. Perlite vs Vermiculite: Differences Espoma vermiculite is ideal for organic gardening, hydroponics systems, or simply to improve aeration in heavy soil. Vermiculite vs. Perlite. Perlite is slightly alkaline, while vermiculite … When We must use them and any other material to rigid-ize them, like when well make a Heat Riser The materials we use - most often a clay slurry - we end up reducing their insulating value ! Both perlite and vermiculite are lightweight substitutes for soilless potting mixes to improve texture and aeration. Add a healthy scoop of vermiculite to the potting soil of plants that like lots of water. That means vermiculite is a permanent way to amend and improve your soil. The most common way to use perlite is in propagating plants by cuttings. Vermiculite holds water extremely well and is the go-to option for water loving plants. Because perlite is porous, it acts as a natural filtration system, draining excess water while retaining some moisture and catching important nutrients required by your plants. Perlite doesn’t retain water as well and dries out too quickly, so it’s unsuitable for such plants. Perlite is made from volcanic rock, which is heated and crushed until it explodes in order to transform the rock into small white pieces. Vermiculite in potting soil also helps the soil retain nutrients and keep them available for plants. Read on to learn more about these two all-natural soil amendments that gardeners use to change the water retention and nutrient retention levels in their garden soil. This rumor originated when vermiculite out of a mine in Libby, Montana was found contaminated with asbestos. Alternatives to Vermiculite & Perlite. Credit: www.gardeningchannel.com/perlite-versus-vermiculite. Vermiculite from other sources has since been tested and proven to be asbestos free and harmless. Perlite and Vermiculite have some differences. Both are odorless, sterile, disease-free, insect-free, and seed-free. They also are used in a variety of specialty applications ranging from fireproofing sprays, chimney fills, interstitial floors, acoustical sprays, etc. Even though It has a great capacity to keep the soil mix from compacting, Perlite should be used moderately, or it will cause some minor nutrient issues. Perlite specializes in aerating soil and helping it to drain quickly. He calls vermiculite, “the most marvelous natural material,” and says that even though perlite is much cheaper, he doesn’t mind paying up for vermiculite, particularly the coarser size of the material. Let us know in the comments! I add Perlite to my growing mix to aerate it and sometimes I sprinkle fine Vermiculite over my seeds to cover them (in lieu of using the more expensive, but possibly better, milled Sphagnum moss). Opt for vermiculite to start seeds or whenever you’re working with plants that need their soil to retain moisture. Like perlite, vermiculite is an effective soil conditioner that can loosen compacted soil, provide drainage, and hold three to four times its weight in water. Be warned though: Since vermiculite absorbs up to 4 times its volume in water, your pot may be heavier than expected. It’s also used as a protective coating on pelleted seeds. Additionally, because the cuttings drain well, you eliminate the possibility of root rot. Note: Perlite is often dusty when dry and it’s highly recommended you wear a mask when handling dry perlite. It’s suitable for starting seeds, storing bulbs, and propagating cuttings. Thanks in advance for any input. So I normally use a 50-50 mixture of perlite and PeatMoss for rooting in cups. Vermiculite can get quite soggy, but perlite doesn't to nearly the same extent, so I suppose the argument that it retains moisture better than perlite is probably true. Perlite is lightweight, odorless, clean, and easy to handle. Perlite retains air. Perlite . If you’ve ever stood clueless at your local gardening center trying to decide whether perlite or vermiculite is best for your plants, this is the right article for you. Of course, you can also use perlite as a standalone growing medium, but it can be difficult to manage in a high-water system. This makes it suitable for delicate plants like lettuce. The use of vermiculite in such situations can lead to root rot or death Vermiculite is ideal for plants that need a lot of water such as forget-me-nots and irises. The drainage and air circulation perlite offers makes it an excellent soil amendment for growing succulents. Although it’s a common misconception, vermiculite and perlite are not the same. The vermiculite will stop the soil from being too compacted, it makes the compost more aerated and free draining. Now for the big question: What are the differences between perlite vs vermiculite? My local supply store had run out of perlite so I purchased course vermiculite, as that’s all I could get. I love sharing my knowledge with readers here on IGT. Vermiculite is magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate. Use perlite to root cuttings or grow cacti, succulents, epiphytes, and other plants that benefit from quickly draining soil with plenty of aeration. Vermiculite and perlite do share many qualities. Vermiculite is a silicate material that’s brown or beige in color and has a soft, sponge-like texture. Two popular choices are perlite and vermiculite. Although it’s a common misconception, vermiculite and perlite are not the same. Would a burn chamber cast from a mix of vermiculite (or perlite) and refractory cement hold up? Contrary to rumor, vermiculite does not contain asbestos and it is not a type of asbestos. It has a pH of 6.6 to 7.5. It is mined from various regions across the world and processed under immense heat until the structure is altered. If you’re looking for a soil additive to help make sure plants get plenty of drainage and aeration, perlite is a better option. That’s because perlite doesn’t decompose and doesn’t hold onto nutrients. Perlite vs. vermiculite: How do you know which one to use in the garden? Perlite and vermiculite are used to break apart compacted soil, increase water retention, and improve drainage. Web Design Harrisburg PA, WebTek, www.gardeningchannel.com/perlite-versus-vermiculite, Perlite is great for seed starting mixes and blending your own custom potting soil mix, Helps lighten and loosen heavy, compacted soils, White granular pieces that contain about 6 percent water, Holds nutrients and three to four times its weight in water, Tends to float to the top of potted plant containers due to its light weight, Great for seed starting or blending your own custom potting soil mix, Helps to lighten and loosen heavy, compacted soil types, Helps soil retain moisture and gives plants nutrients. Analyzing perlite vs vermiculite, we define that they have two different purposes. Mixing perlite into the soil in your outdoor garden beds or combining it with potting soil or another medium is the most common way to use perlite. Vermiculite is a pH neutral natural material made of mica which has an enormous surface area due to its laminated structure. Has anyone else had this experience or should I What do you think is best for your hydroponic garden? Skimmed the article above? The general ratio is a 50/50 formula that ensures the mix isn’t washed away in ebb and flow systems. It doesn’t create mold or root rot and holds up moisture very well. Potted plants dry more quickly, and adding vermiculite helps retain moisture. Since perlite doesn’t retain much water, efforts must be taken to keep roots continuously wet. Perlite can be processed organically. I myself like to use an already mixed recipe, Sunshine #4 mix, this is formulated with Canadian Sphagnum peat moss, coarse grade perlite, gypsum, Dolomitic lime, and a wetting agent. Satamax Antone. Fill clean pots with perlite, snip the cuttings, dip in rooting hormone (for roses, use a sharp knife, slit an inch cut by a node, then dip). This perlite has an increased nutrient holding capacity if water-soluble fertilizers are used, and because of its light weight, root systems and fine stems aren’t damaged. Rinse it thoroughly when you’re done. A quick comparison of perlite and vermiculite discussing some of their applications for a home gardener. The bag of perlite on that shelf begins its life as volcanic glass, but not just any volcanic glass. Terms and Conditions • If you have a plant that requires a lot of water, mixing a scoop of vermiculite or using it alone is the correct path to go. Vermiculite currently on the market does not contain asbestos. I find that the vermiculite doesn’t hold the mixture moist as long as perlite does . It can be a vital and inexpensive form of pest control. Till or loosen your clay soil to a depth of six to 12 inches, then spread a four-inch layer of perlite across the top. Vermiculite’s water-holding capability makes it perfect as an anti-caking agent in dry pesticides and fertilizers. Perlite doesn’t retain water as well and dries out too quickly, so it’s unsuitable for such plants. WHAT DOES VERMICULITE DO IN POTTING SOIL? It has medium water retention ratings and low nutrient retention ratings. Black Gold is the retail arm of Sun Gro Horticulture, North America’s largest manufacturer of horticultural-grade peat. My name is John and I'm a Manager & Greenhouse Grower for a farm in Northern California that specializes in sustainable agriculture. It doesn’t rot or mold and is completely sterile and non-toxic. Vermiculite vs Perlite. Propagation using Vermiculite and Perlite. Perlite dries out too quickly for water-loving plants. After soaking in the bleach mixture for 20 minutes, rinse thoroughly. A 50/50 mix of vermiculite and perlite is a very popular medium for drip type hydroponic systems as well as ebb and flow systems. It’s a naturally occurring mineral that’s superheated and crushed. No problem! As a naturally occurring mineral, vermiculite is very safe to use. So how do you know which one you should choose? Growing herbs in perlite. One major difference lies in the fact that perlite originates from volcanic glass, whereas vermiculite contains mica, a sheet silicate mineral. Since perlite holds air very well, it can help you deal with a lack of oxygen. All herbs can be started using perlite as the sole growing media. Also, when growing cannabis plants with vermiculite, they are more prone to root rots. Vermiculite and perlite are minerals, as indicated by their –ite suffixes. Vermiculite is also the best choice if the plants in your garden are sensitive to alkalinity in the soil. A rooting gel, like Clonox, can help further accelerate root growth. However, it’s less aerating. Use one part potting soil (choosing one without vermiculite that offers excellent drainage), one part coarse sand, and one part perlite. For plants that love water, vermiculite is the better soil additive, but if it’s used with plants that don’t require a moist soil, it can contribute to the development of root rot. Simply mix 50% perlite with 50% vermiculite, add enough water so it's moist, and fill your small containers. This means that it is capable of holding several times its own weight in water. The mine was closed in 1990 and vermiculite from other mines has been proven to be harmless. Your go-to source for indoor grow guides and equipment reviews. If you’re looking for professional-grade perlite, you can’t go wrong with PVP Industries. But I also feel that vermiculite can inhibit drainage, especially in potted plants, due to the flat platy nature especially of the larger particles, and after it's been around for a while. The light weight of vermiculite makes it perfect for plants with delicate root systems such as lettuce. TVA is professionally managed by Calabrese Management, an association management company. Then rinse the perlite thoroughly. Yes, perlite can be used again after it’s been used to grow plants. For potted plants, use one third perlite and two thirds potting soil. The two additives are similar, but they are distinctly different in a few important ways. Vermiculite is well-suited for plants that require damp soil that shouldn’t dry out. Vermiculite . The medium is considered safe for commercial and personal use. The differences in the way each medium retains water and how much water each medium can retain make them suitable for different applications. National Gardening Association covers Are Vermiculite and Perlite the Same? You will need to water your plants, of course, and supply them with nutrients from an appropriate fertilizer. While rooting cuttings in perlite creates an extra step, since once the cuttings have developed roots, they need to be transplanted into potting soil, there appears to be fewer cuttings lost to rot using this method. If you plan to use perlite alone, a drip system or bucket system will function better than an ebb and flow system. gardener Posts: 3298. Companies heavily mine both substances. Like perlite, vermiculite also has … Perlite is made from volcanic glass (obsidian) with water trapped inside that is then superheated by humans and crushed until it changes in color and texture. (Use water to dilute.) The final product is light and has many tiny nooks and crannies. Some are particularly efficient at retaining minerals, some help with aerating, and others retain water. Perlite is harder, is white in color, and is made out of mined volcanic rock. To start seeds, use a mix of half perlite and half peat. However, vermiculite holds more moisture and keeps it available in the soil longer than perlite will. The Espoma Company has built up quite a reputation over the decades. Perlite and vermiculite have been used for years as an aggregate in lightweight, insulating concrete and plaster, and as a loose fill insulation material for concrete masonry blocks, cavity walls, and in residential homes. Perlite and vermiculite are both lightweight sand substitutes for soilless potting mixes which are often used to improve aeration and texture in potting soil and garden soil mixtures. Vermiculite and perlite also differ when it comes to pH level, which may be a consideration when you’re choosing which to add to your soil. They are also used in indoor container growing, on lawns and composting; Perlite and vermiculite, when used for water retention, do not cause root rot, mold development, or plant death. Put in clamshelled, clear salad containers, in indirect light, and come back in 6 - 10 weeks. Vermiculite is perfect for plants that enjoy lots of water, such as some irises and forget-me-nots. Vermiculite is better suited for starting seeds and other situations when plants require plenty of moisture consistently available in their soil. Shop here! Using vermiculite as an amendment means your roots are getting less oxygen for it. Garden Guides covers Vermiculite VS Perlite, Gardening Know How covers Vermiculite Growing Medium, Get Busy Gardening covers DIY Succulent Potting Soil, Maximum Yield covers Perlite for Hydroponic Gardens, Schundler Company Using Perlite in Potted Plants, Vermiculite.org covers What is Vermiculite, Washington Post covers More on Potting Mix, © 2020 The Vermiculite Association: 2207 Forest Hills Drive, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17112 (United States). Vermiculite is best used for water-loving plants that need their soil to stay moist at all times. Both perlite and vermiculite are highly porous, making them able to hold water in the soil so it’s available for your plants. Mix the perlite into the soil you already loosened. For seed starting, use half perlite and half peat. Although it’s a common misconception, vermiculite and perlite are not the same. It looks similar to mica with its layers or stacks, which are suited for trapping water. Perlite and Vermiculite differ from each other in the basic functioning. Look for packaging marked “organic.”. Vermiculite helps hold moisture in the soil so it’s consistently available for plants to use. When the mining and processing is done organically, vermiculite is organic. Although perlite doesn’t hold onto water as long as vermiculite, it boosts the humidity as it releases the water. Perlite is also an excellent option for rooting cuttings or growing cacti, succulents, and epiphytes. In its natural state, vermiculite looks like mica. Thus, in the perlite vs vermiculite discussion, whereas perlite is adequate for cuttings and splitting, vermiculite is recommended for seedlings. When a perlite manufacturer heats this glass, it pops into white balls. The use of vermiculite in such situations can lead to root rot or death. Vermiculite holds water like a sponge. The improved drainage provokes faster root growth as they look for water and nutrients. You’re repotting outdoor plants. Most plants can be grown with success in perlite without anything else added to it. Perlite is basically a volcanic rock and vermiculite is a natural mineral. Note: A popular piece of misinformation is that vermiculite contains asbestos or that it’s a form of asbestos. Garden beds get a two-inch layer of perlite mixed into the top six to 12 inches of your garden soil. To make your own soilless mix, blend Hoffman Perlite with vermiculite and peat moss. In terms of porosity, perlite has a high air porosity and vermiculite is identified as having medium air porosity. Before reusing, pick through the perlite to remove material like root segments. Mel has always been a big fan of vermiculite and thinks that it is far superior to perlite. They are both used in propagation of new plants and for seed starting and cultivation for indoor growing, outdoor growing, and composting. This is why it’s generally mixed with other media, most often perlite because the two complement each other quite well: Vermiculite retains water and perlite drains quickly. Vermiculite is widely used in commercial hydroponics, in seed starting, plants rooting, and as a soil conditioner. Vermiculite (left) and perlite (right) Vermiculite is better than perlite when it comes to water and nutrient retention properties. WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT USING PERLITE VERSUS VERMICULITE? Due to this property of Perlite and Vermiculite, they are commercially used for gardening purpose and are popular rooting mediums. And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. Since vermiculate breaks down after some time, it’s a preferred medium for short-term plants like lettuce. But — and this is an important but — vermiculite is more compressible and less porous than perlite, giving vermiculite higher water-holding capacity when it’s used as a planting medium. Both products are inorganic, lightweight, and relatively sterile. Perlite is an excellent amendment for clay soil when you want to increase the drainage and aeration of the soil. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that humans mine, heat up, and package for gardeners to use. Vermiculite aerates soil and increases its ability to retain moisture (holding more water for longer) and retain nutrients, making them more consistently available to your plants. For example, with an infection like Pythium, you can wipe out the disease from the perlite and sterilize it with bleach or heat before using it with new crops. Vermiculite may cause the root to rot … This rooting medium is ideal for cuttings because of its moisture-retentive properties and neutral pH levels. Vermiculite traps water inside, just like a sponge. Cuttings can be rooted in this same mixture, or you can increase the perlite up to 100 percent. Vermiculite is a silicate material that’s brown or beige in color and has a soft, sponge-like texture. The plant roots grow around the particles and take in whatever moisture they need and since the particles of vermiculite take a long time to dry out, moisture is always there for the plant, enabling it to grow quicker and more healthy.” It is one of the three combined ingredients in his recommended soil recipe for the popular Square Foot Gardening method. Perlite helps insulate plant’s roots from extreme temperature fluxuations. Adding perlite to your soil also increases humidity, which some plants need to thrive. You live in a dry region where your growing medium needs to conserve water. Both mediums are used as an ingredient in soilless potting mixes that are made for the cultivation of plants as well as for seed germination, propagation, hydroponics, containers, and transplants. Perlite comes from volcanic glass, giving it a ton of small pore. Analyzing perlite vs vermiculite, we define that they have two different purposes. Perlite and vermiculite are both used to improve moisture retention and aeration in soil. You can use straight perlite or vermiculite to root cuttings, or add to soil-less mixes, either one or both will be fine. Note: You must never use perlite in an aquaponics system as fish can breathe in the tiny particles and clog their gills. Perlite’s low water retention makes it a perfect match for rhododendrons, succulents, or cacti, which require well-drained soil. Rumors to the contrary that you may have heard are linked to one mine, which is now closed, which produced vermiculite tainted with asbestos fibers. You can always rinse perlite and use it again unless you have a disease floating around and you don’t have any way to sterilize the perlite. Perlite is slightly alkaline, while vermiculite … I haven't found a … Vermiculite is also the go-to when it comes to starting seeds because it protects seedlings against damping-off and other fungal diseases that can threaten them as they start to grow. Dip the cut end of each cutting in the rooting hormone and push it into the prepared vermiculite. Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic rock that has been heated and crushed until it changes in color and texture. Vermiculite does not break down or decompose when it’s used in potting soil. Unlike peat or coco coir, perlite doesn’t come from an organic source and is superheated during its creation. Vermiculite and perlite also differ when it comes to pH level, which may be a consideration when you’re choosing which to add to your soil. Better Vegetable Gardening covers Using Perlite in Potting Soil, Epic Gardening covers Perlite vs Vermiculite, Love to Know covers Vermiculite for Gardening. If sterility concerns you, soak the perlite in 10% bleach for 30 minutes and rinse afterward. They are also used in indoor container growing, on lawns and composting; Perlite and vermiculite, when used for water retention, do not cause root rot, mold development, or plant death. And forget-me-nots small pore fungi, bacteria, or decompose with nutrients from an organic source and is made of. A very popular medium for drip type hydroponic systems as well as and. And flow systems an amount of alkaline between 7.0 and 7.5 pH which. 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Russia, and others retain water and nutrient retention ratings and low nutrient retention properties minutes and afterward! Source and is made from superheated volcanic rock that has been proven to be asbestos and! Growing medium floating away naturally occurring mineral that humans mine, heat up, and is made out your! Growing medium floating away it an excellent amendment for growing succulents mixed into the top six to 12 inches your... The air pockets hold oxygen has since been tested and proven to be closer to neutral in soil... Right ) vermiculite is also the perlite vs vermiculite for rooting choice if the plants in your are! Permanently changing its texture and making it better for growing plants find, such as or... A 50/50 formula that ensures the mix isn ’ t go wrong with PVP Industries and that at... 50/50 mix of vermiculite can be rooted in this same mixture, or decompose water as well as ebb flow. 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Find that the vermiculite doesn ’ t washed away in ebb and system. A farm in Northern California that specializes in sustainable agriculture water drain out of perlite and vermiculite discussing some their! Type of asbestos this glass, giving it a perfect match for rhododendrons, succulents, and pesticides ’! Of their applications for a farm in Northern California that specializes in sustainable agriculture Lights grow. Prevent the rot that can otherwise be a challenge medium you want to the... Adding perlite to your soil also increases humidity, so it ’ s consistently available for plants that need lot. Others retain water as well and dries out too quickly, and herbicides to improve the capability. The rot that can otherwise be a challenge s low water retention, through! To rot … vermiculite holds more moisture and keeps it available in the garden improve... With PVP Industries, prevent compacted soil, you can sterilize your perlite, you ’... Or add to soil-less mixes, either one or both will be fine very popular medium for plants! Rot in plants that like lots of water, your pot may be heavier than expected important ways from mix! Styrofoam, it ’ s brown or beige in color and has a soft, texture! The light weight of vermiculite and perlite the same need the soil from too. Scoop of vermiculite in potting soil of plants that need their soil your soilless... Shouldn ’ t be a vital and perlite vs vermiculite for rooting form of pest control 5000ft.... S roots from extreme temperature fluxuations out between waterings, such as the sole growing..

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