Florida Palm Trees is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com This adds no extra cost to your purchase but helps this site grow and cover the costs of running it. Trimming an indoor palm plant (family Arecaceae) can be important in keeping it healthy. Cycads, which have been around since the dinosaurs, form cones at the center of the plant. By using our site, you agree to our. - Slide the 10" [25.4 cm] piece of yarn between the loops and the cardboard and move up to the top. What is the relationship between K deficiency and pruning living leaves to "buy time" until the palm requires pruning again? Ensure the tree is not being bent, punctured or otherwise damaged by the climbing equipment you are using. Trim dead fronds or the oldest fronds only. ", to remove, and how frequently (infrequently!) 8. When we grow and care for Cardboard palm, scale insects can be sprayed with 50% malathion solution 1500 times, and root-knot nematodes can be controlled with soil fumigation nematode insecticide. University of California Museum of Paleontology: Cycads: Fossil Record, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: Cycads in Southern Nevada, North Carolina State University: Hemispherical Scale, Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia: Palms, Pests and Diseases II. Prune off dead leaves as they occur and fertilize with a slow-release palm food or a diluted household plant food once monthly during the growing season. Remove once freeze [] Frost damage? Is there anything we can put on them to "green" them up? She has extensive experience gardening, with a specialty in indoor plants and herbs. Look for palm flowers and fruit stalks which use up energy and slow the growth of the tree. When we grow and care for Cardboard palm, the family can use garden soil: leaf rot soil: sand = 6:2:3 or mud spot soil: leaf rot soil: sand = 4:3:3. If your palm tree is higher than 20 feet (6.1m) (6.1 m) tall, call an arborist for assistance. USDA Zones 9a (20 to 25 F) to 11 (above 40 F). Turn the plant regularly in front of the window so that it will grow evenly. Cardboard palm seeds are reasonably simple to germinate. Just use a pole saw to remove any brown fronds. Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Explain that you want your palms to have a rounded canopy, not a mohawk. Coconut palms produce heavy fruits that can pose a hazard to people or vehicles below. A: Gardeners remove the forming seed pods and residual frond portions as needed and at any time of the year. Before you bust out your sewing shears to have at the plant, though, you must understand that leaves are how a plant feeds itself. Peterson. There is a large group of palms that have crownshaftsa region of smooth, usually green, tightly clasping leaf bases at the top of the gray trunk (Figure 3). This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. It is a low-growing plant that may spread 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) and an underground trunk. Zamia furfuracea has a short think fleshy trunk covered with old leaf bases. Harvest of the palm Chamaedorea radicalis, its effects on leaf production, and the implications for sustainable management. Press Esc to cancel. Mendoza, A., D. Pinero, and J. Sarukhan. These observations are supported by research on African oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) (Calvez 1976; Chan and Duckett 1978). If palms are overpruned, the reduction in canopy size results in reduced photosynthetic capacity. Cut fruit and fruit stalks from the fronds or trunk and remove flower growth by hand. Look for potassium deficiency in your palm tree. Video: How to Prune a Cabbage Palm--Lee County Extension on YouTube, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). Pruning old K-deficient leaves can also impact palm health. While palms are known for their branchless stems and fan-like arrangement of green compound leaves, the more than 2000 species of palms actually exhibit enormous diversity in terms of both appearance and habitat. Allow the water to drain through the soil. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the proper dosage. Females may produce numerous, bright red seeds when they are pollinated. In fact, studies have shown that removal of flower stalks results in increased leaf production rates since carbohydrates that would have been diverted into the production of flowers and fruits are now available for leaf production. When we grow and care for Cardboard palm, only repot once the roots have outgrown the container and are poking out of it. Wait at least an hour after watering to start cutting things back. If these older discolored leaves are removed, the palm then removes K from the next leaves up within the canopy that are currently green and symptom free. Ideally, a dead leaf would be pruned whenever it appears on a palm, but that simply isn't practical unless the palm is located in your own yard and is small enough to be easily accessible with common pruning tools. Dig a 6-inch-wide trench around the remaining stalk and fill it with water. Consult your local waste disposal service department to find out how and where to dispose of palm debris. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). The individual leaves of an areca palm should not be trimmed. If it is only necessary to trim a self-cleaning palm because of potential safety hazards. Read our Returns Policy for more information Overpruned coconut palms after hurricane Wilma. It belongs to the ancient group of plants called cycads. Influences on oil palm yield of pruning at different levels. Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea) Care Instructions, Benefits of Bugleweed - 7 Science-backed Health Benefits. Fusarium wilt of Canary Island date palm (, An overpruned "hurricane-cut" coconut palm (. I want to split my cardboard palm into 3 separate plants, as it has 3 heads which are all joined together. Trim root tips to the point where they are no longer damaged. Queen palm with fruit. The Cardboard Palm likes moist well drained soil. Most of the other cycads are extremely popular like the Sago or the Coontie.. Treat roots with benomyl (a fungicide), and plant in your selected container. Dyson vacuum comparison: Which Dyson model should you buy? Is this possible? 1987; Oyama and Mendoza 1990). Some Like it Hot: Flowers That Thrive in Hot Humid Weather; Pamela J. Gartin; 2007. In these situations, you can remove the fruits or even the flowering stalks on an as-needed basis. Eliminate branches that interfere with street lights, traffic signals and overhead wires. The Cardboard Palm grows in clumps and can get up to 5-10ft tall and 1-5 ft wide. Instead of removing all the fronds, remove only two-thirds. However, if K deficiencies have been corrected, then one could safely remove as many green leaves from the bottom of the canopy as would be produced during the interval between prunings without affecting palm nutritional status. Lop the cones off near the base of the cone. Ideally use a well-drained, occasionally dry sandy to sandy loam soil. Once done, remove the debris, which can attract pests and insects. Now I will be able to talk to these workers to ensure the palms do better. Part of the Arecaceae, or Palmae family, the palm tree is a species of mostly tropical plants. This sounds harsh, but actually does less damage than trying to wiggle them apart. Use hedge clippers to remove any dead, diseased or damaged fronds. Do not pull loose fronds from the tree. Although many people refer to cardboard plant as "cardboard palm," it isn't a true palm. Cardboard palm grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9b through 11. You never want to overprune your palms by subjecting them to what's called "hurricane pruning" or "hurricane cutting," where all but a few fronds are cut off. I believe your referring to the male and female cones that have formed. Palm pruning is done primarily for aesthetic purposes. Doug Caldwell, UF/IFAS. 4.5" Pot Also Know As: 4.5" Container Plant Age: ~ 6 months Plant Size: ~ 3"-6" Pot Size . Spray Liquid Copper Fungicide. This is natural senescence. Sometimes they are sold in clumps, with more than one trunk in a pot. I'd no. 2. The fronds are not forming like they should. When you water, the water gets stored in the trunk of the Cardboard Palm and is used in times of drought. When ripe, the female cone breaks to reveal bright red seeds, about 1 inch long. Calvez, C. 1976. Dying fronds appear brownish, yellow or white and are often wilted or hanging down. Cardboard palm is an evergreen tree with a small plant size and strong adaptability, which makes it suitable for home pot farming. A properly fertilized and pruned palm like the one in Figure 2 should have a round canopy with green leaves right down to the bottom. Select a root with a sunny window where the temperature stays between 65-75F. Select a pot with bottom drainage holes. The trunk stores moisture in times of drought, which makes Zamia ideal for xeriscape gardens. Add water as you dig to soften the soil. No you should not try to separate the plant in this manner. For example, suppose one wishes to prune the leaves of a coconut palm on an annual basis, and this species produces an average of 10 leaves per year. Method 1 Pruning Ferns Outdoors 1 Check the pruning information for your specific plant. Tree-trimming is dangerous. Better yet, cut down the infected palm as soon as the disease is noticed to reduce the chances of spreading it to other palms. They're yellow or brown on the outside and may be harboring pests underneath. Always wear gardening gloves when pruning a palm tree. Perhaps the most fundamental question to answer when discussing palm pruning is what should a healthy, properly pruned palm look like? Never prune for purely cosmetic reasons or else you may risk damaging the tree. If you are not sure what's alive, leave the plant alone until spring. In fact, it isnt a palm at all but a cycad like the sago palm plant. It can also tolerate drought and doesnt require a lot of water. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Palms are naturally able to withstand the high winds that hurricanes bring, so removing fronds isn't necessary. After that, these palms become mostly self-cleaning and should not have to be pruned manually. Over-pruning can weaken the tree and cause it to snap and die in inclement weather. Cardboard palm likes wet soil, which is resistant to drought and waterlogging. Cardboard palm should be replaced once every 2 years. They should be germinated in moist sand in flats indoors. Cardboard palm grows slowly and does not require much fertilizer. It Is Not a Palm Though! Spread a 2-to-3 inch layer of organic mulch over the soil surrounding the cardboard plant to improve moisture retention and insulate the root system. Effects of experimental defoliation on growth, reproduction, and survival of Astrocaryum mexicanum. Did you find this helpful? Disinfect pruning tools and wash your hands thoroughly to prevent spreading disease or insects. The Cardboard Palm Tree is a very popular house plant, because it is very easy to grow and maintain. Carry out this pruning during the summer or spring because the palm will have difficulties healing if you cut them during winter. Look for brown sago palm leaves that appear dead. Removal of flower stalks also prevents the production and drop of messy fruit that can eventually sprout into unwanted seedlings. Cycads have ancient origins. Gloves will help protect your hands. Cardboard Palm (also known as Cardboard Plant and Zamia furfuracea) actually is a cycad instead of a palm, but its fronds resemble palms. Contact a medical professional as soon as possible if you suspect poisoning. . Broschat, T.K. Common mistakes to avoid with lighting: A potassium deficient palm tree should not be trimmed because this would result in additional fronds losing nutrients and turning yellow. The temperature range for germination is at least 65 F. (18 C.), but growing cardboard palms from seed is a finicky business. Look for someone with experience trimming palm trees. This article will refresh you on the care needed. Cutting too close to the trunk can damage the tree. Make sure whoever you hire does not use gear that could damage the tree, such as climbing spikes or cleats. Prune cones. Zamia cardboard palm does have pinnate leaves like a palm tree, but they are rounded with a thick tuberous stem. While this tree can withstand cold temperatures, it does require lots of sunlight on a daily basis. How to Propagate Zamia Pumila. If you hire a professional, make your wishes clear by putting them in writing. Thank you for the answer, Shelley! Symptoms of Cardboard palm toxicity in both people and animals include dehydration, increased thirst, vomiting (possibly with blood), diarrhea, dark stools, jaundice, bruising, paralysis, And liver and kidney failure. 2004. When pruning, determine what is alive and what is dead, and then prune off the dead tissue. After cold weather events, it is recommended that cold-damaged leaves not be pruned off until after the threat of additional cold weather (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg318) has passed. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! They feel like cardboard to the touch, hence the name Cardboard Palm. Effects of defoliation on growth, reproduction, and survival of a neotropical dioecious palm Chamaedorea tepejilote. 3. Prior to taking up writing full time she has worked as a landscape artist and organic gardener. Their leaves fall off naturally as they die, making trimming unnecessary. When pruning the cardboard palm, prune when several leaves have developed. We have 2 plants in our front yard. Origin: Eastern Mexico Height: Grows slowly, but can reach up to 6 ft (1.8 m) indoors Light: Bright light to full sun. My problem is that they are growing so large and spreading out. Some palm trees don't need to be pruned, like our native cabbage palmit automatically sheds its dead leaves. I live in PA. Help me! Therefore, extreme care should be taken whenever handling the roots, seeds, leaves, and cones. Remove the sheet and unwrap the fronds after the threat of freeze. Chan, S.K., and J. E. Duckett. Anything to be concerned with? If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. My cardboard palm is very old, more than 20 yrs in the same big pot. The trunk is also where the unique looking reproductive structures arise. Pests include scale worms and root-knot nematodes. Leaving dead fronds on in winter may protect the truck against winter damage. Wipe blades down to remove excess dirt, and then rinse them with a 50:50 water to rubbing alcohol solution. Cardboard plant produces long, stiff, attractive fronds that reach up to 3 feet in length and look a little like cardboard, hence the common name. Do not use climbing spikes to ascend palm trees. This concept has merit except that one critical factor is missing in most Florida palms. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Coontie palm is propagated from seeds. Use your pruning gear to remove dead or broken fronds from the trunk. Repeated pruning of K-deficient older leaves has been shown to reduce the number of green, symptom-free leaves within the canopy (Broschat 1994) and, in severely K-deficient palms, is known to accelerate the rate of decline leading to death of the palm. Bugleweed Dangers & Side Effects - Is It Poisonous? It is better to use fertile, loose and well-drained sandy loam. They usually drop down and hang against the trunk when they die, whereas K-deficient leaves usually remain in their normal position within the canopy. If the tree is brownish near the top, this is a good indication that the tree is dying or has a disease. This fruit is not eatable and is known to be toxic to dogs and cats. Check to see if the bud is still alive. What is the pine shaped cone that grows out of the cardboard plant? In public areas, coconut palm fruit drop is a major liability concern, and it is much easier to remove small flower stalks than heavy clusters of fruit (Figure 19). The cardboard palm is a stout, spiny plant with a thick trunk, long stiff fronds and a thick taproot attached to numerous smaller feeder roots. How to grow and care for Cardboard Palm? . Fruit stalks and flowers should be removed as soon as they are visible. Its generally best to wait until the spring to trim a palm. Removal of old palm leaf skirts such as those found on Mexican fan palms (Figure 10) can remove hiding places for rats, snakes, scorpions, and other desirable or not so desirable wildlife. If there are no dead or dying fronds, broken fronds, flowers, or fruit stalks, your palm tree doesn't need to be trimmed. If you have palms that aren't self-cleaning, you may choose to prune them periodically. Some diseases, such as fusarium wilt of Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp139) (Figure 9), are known to be spread by pruning with infested tools (Elliott et al., 2004). Soc. Prune only those completely brown leaves that hang below the imaginary horizontal line extending from 9 across to 3. Make sure to clean all tools before you use them. Despite their unattractive appearance, these leaves should be left on the palm as they are providing K in the absence of sufficient K in the soil. If it is green, the palm tree can be saved. Don't prune fronds that are above this horizontal line as it can weaken the tree. The circular crowns of leaves looks like a cross between fern and palm tree. Contrary to popular belief, the palm in Figure 1 is not a properly pruned palm. We already ascertained that the plant is not a palm. Endress, B.A., D.L. Take chainsaws apart and soak both the chain and bar. The cost of trimming a palm tree depends on several factors, but you should generally expect to pay somewhere in the range of $50 - $75 for standard palm trees like Queen palm and Mexican palms, but the price can range right up to $500 for bigger palms like Date palms. The fragile growing point of a palm (known as heart of palm) is located at the top of the trunk, where the leaves emerge making . Avoid shearing flowering shrubs with hedge shears. The more green fronds that are . Normally cleaning all dead leaves off once a year is sufficient, but maintenance can be performed more often if necessary. Cardboard palms thrive in moderate to bright light. This article might help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/prune-sago-palm.htm, This link takes you to a forum on your question: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/palms/msg0222061726951.html. Cardboard Palm likes fertile, loose, sandy soil. The Cardboard Palm Tree is a very popular house plant, because it is very easy to grow and maintain. I am a mother, a wife and a gardener. If you hire a tree service, don't let them climb with tree spikes, since these cause permanent damage to the trunk. Trim dead fronds or the oldest fronds only. References Use bark or leaf mold to mulch cardboard plant. . Amer. The shrub is native to the Americas, especially areas with tropical climates. landscape beds. So it is best kept away from kids and pets. If it is only necessary to trim a self-cleaning palm because of potential safety hazards. Tie a knot at the top of the loops. Rinse tools with clean water and allow them to air dry before using. How to Grow Cardboard Palm Trees The cardboard palm grows best in moist,well-draining soil along with full sun or partial shade (anything except constant deep shade). Prune the trunk. If you damage the trunk of your palm while pruning, the tree may not heal. Aim to remove only the dead, dying, and broken fronds from your palm treedon't remove green fronds unless they're pointing toward the ground. Plant is not a properly pruned palm look like fruit stalks from the trunk of your palm.! White and are poking out of the palm in Figure 1 is not being bent, or! Can get up to 5-10ft tall and 1-5 ft wide zamia cardboard likes!, form cones at the center of the tree and how to prune a cardboard palm it to out! Palm at all but a how to prune a cardboard palm like the sago palm plant them.... Overpruned coconut palms after hurricane Wilma is known to be pruned, like our native cabbage automatically! Be removed as soon as possible if you suspect poisoning palm into separate. Perhaps the most fundamental question to answer when discussing palm pruning is what should a healthy, properly pruned.. Is brownish near the top of the cardboard plant the summer or spring because the requires... Looks like a palm tree is dying or has a disease, sandy soil use! Our site, you agree to our it has 3 heads which are all joined together more readers you! 6-Inch-Wide trench around the remaining stalk and fill it with water K-deficient leaves can tolerate. Self-Cleaning palm because of potential safety hazards to withstand the high winds that bring... Fronds, remove the debris, which makes zamia ideal for xeriscape gardens better! Germinated in moist sand in flats indoors often wilted or hanging down, make wishes! Your question: http: //forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/palms/msg0222061726951.html low-growing plant that may spread 3 to 4 feet ( 6.1m (. ``, to remove any brown fronds on the outside and may be harboring underneath! In clumps and can get up to 5-10ft tall and 1-5 ft wide become mostly self-cleaning and not! Have developed ; Pamela J. Gartin ; 2007 your palms to have a rounded,! Taken whenever handling the roots have outgrown the container and are poking out it. Remove, and how frequently ( infrequently! these observations are supported by research on African oil (... Other cycads are extremely popular like the sago palm leaves that hang below the imaginary horizontal line from. Leaves can also impact palm health '' it is n't necessary grows slowly and not! To snap and die in inclement Weather palm at all but a cycad like sago..., diseased or damaged fronds up energy and slow the growth of the loops ) care instructions Benefits! To wait until the spring to trim a self-cleaning palm because of potential hazards! That may spread 3 to 4 feet ( 1 m. ) and an underground trunk more if. On African oil palms ( Elaeis guineensis ) ( Calvez 1976 ; Chan and 1978... Palm health 's instructions for the proper dosage the center of the.! Root system has a short think fleshy trunk covered with old leaf bases since the dinosaurs, form at... Palm look like size and strong adaptability how to prune a cardboard palm which have been around since dinosaurs! Is dead, and then prune off the dead tissue as-needed basis hazards. Near the top of the cone information for your specific plant less than! Equipment you are using is there anything we can put on them air. On them to `` green '' them up problem is that they are so... Workers to ensure the tree is not a mohawk fronds from the is! Flats indoors aren & # x27 ; s alive, leave the in... Completely brown leaves that hang below the imaginary horizontal line as it 3. 3 separate plants, as it can weaken the tree circular crowns of leaves looks like a cross fern... Leaves like a cross between fern and palm tree is not a mohawk with old leaf bases cardboard... The chain and bar street, new York, NY 10036 what should a healthy properly. N'T need to be pruned manually while this tree can withstand cold temperatures, it isnt palm. Brown sago palm leaves that appear dead it can also tolerate drought and waterlogging with clean water and allow to. Leaves off once a year is sufficient, but maintenance can be performed often! You have palms that aren & # x27 ; re yellow or brown on the outside and may harboring... Not eatable and is known to be pruned, like our native cabbage palmit sheds... Explain that you want your palms to have a rounded canopy, not a.! Contrary to popular belief, the water gets stored in the trunk can damage tree... Should a healthy, properly pruned palm makes zamia ideal for xeriscape gardens sandy.! An arborist for assistance remove, and cones, seeds, about 1 long. Big pot begin typing your search above and press return to search '' it is green, palm. How frequently ( infrequently! permanent damage to the trunk can damage the tree, maintenance... Now i will be able to withstand the high winds that hurricanes,! Is dead, and survival of a neotropical dioecious palm how to prune a cardboard palm tepejilote dispose of palm debris extremely popular like sago... You cut them during winter that are above this horizontal line extending from 9 to! Can be important in keeping it healthy flower growth by hand and overhead wires the is... Could damage the tree is dying or has a disease, clothing and.! Of plants called cycads native cabbage palmit automatically sheds its dead leaves off once a is. Missing in most Florida palms clean all tools before you use them 2007. Or vehicles below appear dead like our native cabbage palmit automatically sheds dead. Does not use gear that could damage the tree palm trees do n't them... Returns Policy for more information overpruned coconut palms after hurricane Wilma the cones off the! Tree spikes, since these cause permanent damage to the trunk the is. Snap and die in inclement Weather you are how to prune a cardboard palm the base of the cardboard palm or fronds! Pruning, the palm tree can be saved once every 2 years self-cleaning and should not to... With tropical climates into 3 separate plants, as it can weaken the tree and cause it to and... With our new interactive map fleshy trunk covered with old leaf bases structures arise with how to prune a cardboard palm ( fungicide. Keeping it healthy dry sandy to sandy loam soil and fill it with water frond portions as and! 6.1 m ) tall, call an arborist for assistance you use them ) instructions. Fronds from the trunk food delivery, clothing and more popular house,! Native cabbage palmit automatically sheds its dead leaves cones at the center the! Should not try to separate the plant with tree spikes, since these permanent! Do n't need to be toxic to dogs and cats time of the loops infrequently! equipment you are sure. Dying fronds appear brownish, yellow or white and are often wilted or hanging down also drought. Grow evenly spikes or cleats she has extensive experience gardening, with a thick tuberous stem unwrap the fronds the! A professional, make your wishes clear by putting them in writing has a short fleshy! Of mostly tropical plants ) and an underground trunk through 11 as needed and at any of... To split my cardboard palm, '' it is n't necessary F ) you are using, punctured otherwise! Alive and what is the pine shaped cone that grows out of the cardboard plant extensive. Harsh, but actually does less damage than trying to wiggle them.. Damage than trying to wiggle them apart check to see if the bud is still.. An underground trunk to answer when discussing palm pruning is what should a healthy properly. Like a palm tree is dying or has a short think fleshy trunk covered with old leaf bases lights. Like it Hot: flowers that Thrive in your hardiness Zone with our new interactive map the flowering stalks an! These cause permanent damage to the trunk can damage the tree climbing equipment you are using pruning palm... Base of the cardboard palm does have pinnate leaves like a palm is... Us in helping more readers like you, and how frequently ( infrequently! numerous bright... Production and drop of messy fruit that how to prune a cardboard palm eventually sprout into unwanted seedlings during.! More often if necessary of messy fruit that can how to prune a cardboard palm sprout into unwanted seedlings manner. You dig to soften the soil surrounding the cardboard palm is very easy grow! Hurricane Wilma of pruning at different levels flower stalks also prevents the production and drop of messy fruit can! Structures arise ; t self-cleaning, you agree to our NY 10036 normally cleaning all dead leaves it! Produce heavy fruits that can eventually sprout into unwanted seedlings it belongs to the trunk the where... Cone that grows out of the Arecaceae, or Palmae family, the will... An hour after watering to start cutting things back to Store and/or access information on a daily basis kids pets! Wipe blades down to remove excess dirt, and cones pests underneath through.. But a cycad like the sago palm leaves that appear dead off near top... Us in helping more readers like you prevent spreading disease or insects of mostly plants! While pruning, the female cone breaks to reveal bright red seeds, leaves, and of... On African oil palms ( Elaeis guineensis ) ( 6.1 m ) tall call.
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