The Garden of Eaden: 2026

Stop! You are killing your Canary Island Date Palms with these five critical mistakes

Are you struggling to keep your Canary Island Date Palm alive? In the UK, nearly 90% of these beautiful palms don’t survive their first winter. In this video, we break down the 5 CRITICAL mistakes most gardeners make and show you exactly how to fix them so your Phoenix canariensis can thrive year after year! From choosing the perfect sunny spot to mastering winter protection and avoiding the dreaded "spear pull," this is your ultimate guide to palm care in cooler climates.

If you would like watch more content like this then check out our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. It is absolutely free to subscribe to and you can unsubscribe instantly at any time. Click onto the notification 'bell' icon to informed as to whenever we publish a new video.

Five reasons why I hate 'No Mow May'

Think 'No Mow May' is the best thing for your garden? Think again. In this video, I’m sharing five honest (and slightly humorous) reasons why I have a visceral hatred for the 'No Mow May' movement. From the biological misconceptions about grass to the hidden dangers lurking in long lawns, we’re diving into why this trend might be doing more harm than good for both you and your local ecosystem.

We explore the reality of lawn maintenance and why simply letting your grass grow wild isn't the same as creating a thriving wildflower meadow. If you’re a gardener who values biodiversity but questions the "performative" nature of modern trends, this rant is for you.

Stop! Ten plants you should never cut in May

Stop! Don’t pick up those secateurs just yet! 🛑✂️ In this video, we’re covering the 10 plants and groups of plants you should never prune or cut in May. Pruning at the wrong time can lead to devastating diseases, loss of flowers, or even the death of your favourite garden features. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, knowing these "no-cut" rules is essential for a healthy, vibrant garden.

Ten essential garden jobs for May for gardening beginners

Get your garden ready for summer with these 10 essential gardening jobs for May! 🌿

May is one of the busiest months in the gardening calendar, but don't let that overwhelm you. In this video, we break down the most important tasks for gardening beginners to tackle right now to ensure a healthy, vibrant, and flower-filled garden all season long.

Top Five Flowering Shrubs for May for Gardening Beginners

Transform Your Garden This May with These 5 Stunning Flowering Shrubs! 🌸

Looking to add vibrant colour and expert-approved plants to your garden this month? In this video, we dive into the "Top Five Flowering Shrubs for May," sharing everything you need to know about their origin, hardiness, and essential care requirements to help your garden thrive.

STOP! Doing This Is Killing Your Lavender - 5 Critical Mistakes

STOP! If your lavender is looking woody, leggy, or just plain sad, you might be accidentally killing it.

In this video, we’re breaking down the 5 CRITICAL mistakes that lead to lavender death. From the "April Pruning Myth" to the hidden dangers of glazed pots, I’ll show you exactly how to keep your lavender thriving, silver, and smelling sweet for years to come.

Whether you're growing Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender), L. stoechas (French Lavender), or hybrids like L. x intermedia, the rules for success are simple—but easy to get wrong!

Last Chance! Ten Gardening Jobs You MUST Finish by the End of April

Time is running out! ⏳ April is flying by, and if you don’t tackle these 10 essential gardening jobs now, you might have to wait another 12 months to fix them. In this guide, I’m breaking down the most time-sensitive tasks you MUST finish before May to ensure your garden looks spectacular this summer and next spring.

From Monty Don’s top tips for sweet peas to the critical "not to do" job for spring bulbs, we’re covering everything you need to stay ahead of the game. April gardening checklist, sweet pea planting tips, and how to prune clematis are all discussed. Plus, I'll share a huge money-saving secret on summer tubers!

Five mistakes to avoid planting and growing Campsis - The Trumpet vine

Thinking about planting a Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)? Stop! Before you dig that hole, make sure you aren't making these common mistakes.

In this video, we dive deep into everything you need to know about planting and growing Campsis successfully. While the Trumpet Vine is famous for its stunning, hummingbird-attracting orange and red blooms, it can quickly become a gardener's nightmare if handled incorrectly. We’re sharing the top 5 mistakes we see gardeners make—from poor site selection to underestimating its aggressive growth.

STOP! Doing This Is Killing Your Roses - 5 Critical Mistakes

STOP! Before you plant another rose bush, you need to watch this. Some of the most common rose care advice might actually be killing your roses. In this video, we’re exposing 5 critical gardening mistakes that lead to disease, stunted growth, and poor blooms. We’re diving deep into the controversial rose graft union debate—planting it at the wrong depth is one of the fastest ways to lose a plant! We also cover essential rose planting tips, how to manage black spot, and the hidden danger of rose soil sickness (replant disease). Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, these rose gardening secrets will help you avoid the pitfalls and grow the healthiest, most beautiful roses in your neighbourhood.

Don't forget to sow these top ten easy to grow exotic flowering seeds in April

Want to transform your garden with stunning, rare blooms without the high price tag? In this guide, I’m showing you the top 10 easy-to-grow exotic flowering seeds you MUST sow in April to ensure a spectacular summer display. From the dramatic Bird of Paradise to the towering Echium, these exotic plants are surprisingly simple to start from seed right at home.

I’ll walk you through the exact steps for each plant, including seed prep, the perfect compost mix, and the secret to successful germination using a simple heated propagator or even just a sunny windowsill. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, these April sowing tips will help you grow a tropical paradise in your own backyard.

Top ten common gardening mistakes to avoid in April

April is one of the busiest months in the garden, but it’s also the easiest time to make "schoolboy errors" that can ruin your summer display. From bulb foliage blunders to slug management, I’m sharing the top 10 common gardening mistakes to avoid this April. Spring has officially sprung, but don't let the nice weather fool you! In this video, we go beyond the basics of spring gardening tips to tackle the critical tasks that will determine the health of your plants for the rest of the year. Whether you're working on David Austin roses, handling bare-root plants, or prepping your borders, these 10 tips will save you money, time, and backbreaking work.

Five mistakes to avoid planting and growing Clematis

Clematis are the "Queen of Climbers," but they can be notoriously tricky to get right. In this video, Simon from Walking Talking Gardeners breaks down the 5 most common mistakes gardeners make when planting and growing Clematis.

Whether you are dealing with large-flowering hybrids, the massive Clematis Montana, or evergreen varieties like Clematis Armandii, these expert tips will ensure your garden is covered in blooms rather than "Phoenix ashes." We dive deep into the two biggest Clematis nightmares: Clematis Wilt and the confusing Pruning Groups (1, 2, and 3).

A Private Tropical Garden Tour With an RHS Chelsea Medal Winner!

Join us for an exclusive tour of the Agave Gardens in Antigua with the incredible Barbara Japal, RHS Chelsea Medal winner and President of the Antigua & Barbuda Horticultural Society in the tropical climates of the Caribbean.

In this episode, Barbara shares the "proper" way to cultivate a self-sustaining tropical garden in a dry climate. We dive deep into the world of wild medicinal herbs—from the surprising (and slightly shocking!) history of the "pisser bed" leaf to the healing powers of the Yellow Balsam and the Marzipan-scented tea vine.

We also get a rare look inside Antigua’s only Seed Bank, a vital resource for preserving local biodiversity against natural disasters. If you’ve ever wondered how to save your own seeds or why the Antigua Black Pineapple nearly went extinct, you won’t want to miss this.

Never cut these ten plants in April

Stop! Before you grab your secateurs this April, watch this video. Pruning the wrong plants right now can ruin your summer floral display or, worse, invite deadly diseases like Silver Leaf and Bacterial Canker into your garden! 🌿 In today's guide, we’re identifying the 10 specific plants you should NEVER cut in April. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener, timing is everything. We dive deep into why pruning certain shrubs, trees, and perennials now—from Hydrangeas and Wisteria to Magnolias and Stone Fruits—can reduce plant vigour and stop your favourite flowers from blooming.

Don't forget these April garden jobs for gardening beginners

April is a critical month in the garden! In this video, we cover 10 essential gardening jobs for beginners that you simply can't afford to miss. From managing common garden pests like slugs to the best time for pruning spring-flowering shrubs, these time-sensitive tasks will ensure your garden thrives all summer long. We’ll dive into practical tips on weeding before they go to seed, how to support tall herbaceous plants like Lupins and Delphiniums, and the secret to making sure your spring bulbs return even stronger next year. Whether you’re looking for lawn care advice or tips on hardening off seedlings from the greenhouse, this April gardening checklist has you covered!

How to Plant and Grow Hibiscus moscheutos - Swamp Rose-Mallow

Can you really grow 9-inch "dinner plate" flowers in a cold climate? Today on Walking Talking Gardeners, we’re planting the spectacular Hibiscus moscheutos (Swamp Rose-Mallow) and revealing why common garden labels might be wrong about its hardiness! In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about Hibiscus moscheutos care. Whether you call it the Swamp Rose-Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus, or Dinner Plate Hibiscus, this herbaceous perennial is a show-stopper for any garden. We discuss the best potting mix, sun requirements, and the crucial "myth-busting" facts about its frost hardiness that even the RHS labels might miss.

Five Mistakes Beginner's Make with Hydrangeas

Are your hydrangeas struggling to flower, or have your beautiful blue blooms turned a "horrible" pink? 🌸

In this video, I’m breaking down the 5 most common mistakes gardening beginners make when growing hydrangeas. As a qualified professional gardener, I see these errors all the time—but the good news is, they are easy to fix! From soil pH chemistry to the "pruning trap" that can cost you an entire season of flowers, we’re covering it all.

Top five flowering shrubs for April for gardening beginner's

Are you looking for the best flowering shrubs for April to add a burst of colour to your spring garden? In this video, we share the top five flowering shrubs that are perfect for gardening beginners, all of which have earned the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit for their reliability and beauty. We’ll walk you through expert care tips, soil requirements, and the one critical pruning mistake that stops many gardeners from seeing their shrubs in full bloom. Whether you have an acidic or alkaline soil, these robust plants will help you create a stunning April display.

Last Chance! Gardening Jobs You MUST Finish by the End of March

Are you ready for the spring gardening season? In this video, we’re breaking down the 10 time-sensitive gardening jobs you MUST finish by the end of March. Failing to tackle these tasks now could cost you money, reduce your fruit and vegetable harvests, and negatively impact your ornamental flower displays!

From lifting and dividing herbaceous plants like Hosta's to cleaning your greenhouse to prevent fungal spores and pests, we cover the essential steps to get your garden in peak condition.

Five mistakes gardeners make with Camellias (UK/US)

Are your Camellias struggling with yellow leaves, brown flowers, or buds falling off before they even bloom? You aren't alone! Camellias are beautiful spring-flowering plants, but they can be finicky if you don't get the basics right.

In this video, Simon breaks down the 5 most common Camellia growing mistakes that could be ruining your garden display. From pruning at the wrong time of year to soil pH issues, we’re covering everything you need to know to keep your plants healthy and vibrant.

Avoid these five pruning mistakes gardeners make in March. You'll regret it!

In this video, I’m sharing the 5 most common pruning mistakes that new and experienced gardeners make every spring. Pruning at the wrong time can lead to "weeping" sap, hideous diseases like Silver Leaf or Bacterial Canker, and—the biggest crime of all—accidentally cutting off all your summer flowers! Whether you’re looking at your Japanese Maples (Acer), Hydrangeas, or Fruit Trees, I’ll walk you through exactly what to cut now and what to leave alone until summer.

When and How to prune Hydrangeas: Easy guide for gardening beginners

Pruning hydrangeas can feel like an absolute nightmare, but it doesn't have to be! In this video, I break down the confusion surrounding one of gardening's most misunderstood tasks. With over 80 species of hydrangeas out there, knowing when to pick up the shears is all about understanding two simple groups.

Whether you have a Mophead, Lacecap, or the stunning Oak Leaf hydrangea, this guide will show you exactly how to identify what’s in your garden and the specific steps to ensure you get bigger, better blooms every year.

Top ten common gardening mistakes to avoid in March

🌱 Top Ten Common Gardening Mistakes to Avoid in March | Essential Spring Gardening Tips

March is one of the most important months in the gardening calendar — but it’s also when many gardeners make mistakes that can set their gardens back for the whole season. In this video, I break down the top ten most common gardening mistakes to avoid in March, so you can start spring with confidence and give your plants the best possible start.

Whether you’re a beginner gardener or looking to sharpen your skills, these practical, easy‑to‑follow tips will help you avoid wasted time, poor growth, and preventable problems. From seed sowing errors and pruning mishaps to soil preparation and planting timing, this guide covers everything you need to know for a successful spring garden.

Cut these Plants Back Now in March, Before it's too Late! Prune, trim

🌱 March Pruning Guide: Essential Plants You MUST Cut Back This Month

March is one of the most important months in the gardening calendar — and missing key pruning jobs now can lead to weak growth, fewer flowers, and unhealthy plants later in the year. In this video, I walk you through the exact plants you should prune, cut back, or trim in March to keep your garden thriving all season long.

When and How to Prune Roses: Easy guide for gardening beginners

Learn exactly when and how to prune roses with this simple, beginner‑friendly guide. Whether you grow hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, or shrub roses, this video walks you through the best time of year to prune, the tools you need, and the step‑by‑step method to keep your roses healthy, productive, and full of blooms.

You’ll discover how to remove dead or damaged wood, shape your rose for better airflow, encourage strong new growth, and avoid the most common pruning mistakes. Perfect for new gardeners or anyone wanting confident, beautiful results in their garden.

Seed starting basics: Gardening beginner mistakes to avoid

Kickstart your gardening journey with confidence! In this video, we dive into the most common seed‑starting mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them. Whether you're growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, these simple tips will help you get strong, healthy seedlings from day one.

Never cut these plants in March: Gardening beginners guide

Thinking about pruning your garden in March? Stop before you cut! ✋ In this beginner‑friendly gardening guide, I’ll show you which plants you should NEVER cut in March and explain why pruning at the wrong time can cost you a full season of flowers. Many popular shrubs and perennials form their flower buds on old wood, meaning those buds are already on the plant by early spring. Pruning them in March can remove this year’s blooms completely. This video breaks it all down in simple terms so you can garden with confidence—even if you’re just starting out.

What Easy Seeds to Sow in March: Beginner Friendly Guide

Kickstart your spring garden with this beginner‑friendly guide to the easiest seeds to sow in March. Whether you're growing in the UK or any cool‑temperate climate, this video walks you through simple, reliable crops and flowers you can start right now — even if you’re completely new to gardening.

Don't forget these March garden jobs for gardening beginners

A beginner‑friendly guide to the essential March garden jobs you don’t want to miss. As spring begins, March is the perfect month to prepare your garden for a successful growing season. In this video, I walk you through simple, achievable tasks that make a big difference — ideal for new gardeners learning what to do each month.

Woman Screams at Frangipani Caterpillar Pseudospinx tetrio spinx Plumeria caterpillar hornworm rasta

I caught my wife Lorna screaming at the Frangipani Caterpillar - Pseudosphinx tetrio, otherwise known as the tetrio sphinx, giant gray sphinx, frangipani hornworm, plumeria caterpillar, Rasta caterpillar and Chenille rasta. This is what shocked her so much!

Top five flowering shrubs for March for gardening beginners

🌸 Top 5 Flowering Shrubs for March | Easy Picks for Gardening Beginners 🌸 Looking to add instant colour to your garden in March? In this video, I share my top five flowering shrubs that bloom in March, perfect for beginner gardeners and anyone wanting low‑maintenance spring flowers. March is when gardens start to wake up, and these easy‑to‑grow flowering shrubs provide beautiful blooms, attract pollinators, and require minimal care. Whether you’re gardening in the UK, working with a small garden, or just starting out, these shrubs are reliable, hardy, and rewarding.

Five Mistakes to avoid growing Delonix regia - Gulmohar tree, Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant Flame tree

Delonix regia is a stunning ornamental flowering tree which does come with some cultivation notes should you wish to grow it in your garden to its full potential. Best known for its striking, exotic blooms it also has a huge list of common names including the Maara tree, Nianbānā, Krushnachuṛā, Krishna Chura, May-flower tree, Gulmohar, Gul Mohr, flame tree, peacock flower, royal poinciana, flamboyant, phoenix flower and flame of the forest. All of which shows the importance of identifying a single scientific name to avoid confusion! In this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses five mistake to avoid when it come to growing Delonix regia.

You must sow these seeds in February: Easy seeds for gardening beginners

Producing your own plants from seed is a fantastic way to add a more diverse range of plants to your garden, as well as to save money on purchasing pot grown established plants. However to make the best of our relatively short growing season here in the UK, many plant seeds need to be germinated now in February. In this video English horticulturist Simon discusses some of the easiest plants to grow from seed and how to do so. You must sow these seeds in February: Easy seeds for gardening beginners.

Cut these Plants Back Now in February, Before it's too Late Prune, Trim

For most people, gardening in February is more about enjoying the garden from the comfort of your back room rather than doing any actual work in it. Although the first signs of spring growth are beginning to appear if you look close enough. This means that time is moving on as plants prepare to wake from their winter slumber. This means that there is only a small window of opportunity to make a number of time sensitive cuts in order to improve the health or your plants and to ensure fantastic flowering displays in the following season. So in this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses which plants he regards needs to be cut during this month. Never forget to cut these plants in February.

Did we discover the World's Largest Urn Plant? Alcantarea imperialis - a living Dinosaur plant!

Join us on an unforgettable botanical adventure as we track down one of the true giants of the plant kingdom — the Alcantarea imperialis, also known as the Imperial Bromeliad. Native to the dramatic rocky landscapes of Rio de Janeiro, this extraordinary species is considered one of the largest bromeliads on Earth, with leaves reaching up to 5 feet long and flower spikes soaring as high as 3 meters (10 ft)!

Five dinosaur plants that still exist today for your garden: Prehistoric plants are still alive !

You might think that ancient plants that had existed millions of years ago have now been lost to the sand of time. However, unlike the dinosaurs, many genera and species are still around today. Some of which are just as successful as they were then, and are suitable for growing in your garden. So in this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses his five favourite prehistoric plants that are still around and alive today!

Don't forget these February gardening jobs

The winter months are beginning to slip away and the first flowers of spring are starting to emerge! This means that there are a number of time sensitive gardening jobs that must be completed now in February before that opportunity is missed for another year! In this video English horticulturist Simon discusses the garden task that you should consider completing in order to maximise the coming seasons floral displays.

Five mistakes to avoid growing passion flower from seed

The passion flower family - Passiflora, has a large number of both highly ornamental flowering and edible species. However, the plants of which can be quite difficult to find. All is not lost though, because if you can get hold of some fresh fruit then you can easily grow these magnificent plants from seed yourself. So in this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses his five mistakes to avoid growing passionflower from seed. Just what is the best way to germinate passionflower seeds for gardening beginners?

Five Mistakes to Avoid Growing the Monkey Puzzle tree: Araucaria araucana

The monkey puzzle tree - Araucaria araucana, is an iconic and architectural masterpiece from the mountainous spine of south-western America. Despite its exotic, prehistoric presence you can grow this magnificent specimen right here in England! However they can be expensive, slow growing and as such you should be aware that there are a number of mistakes that can be made that can hold back or even harm its future growth! So in this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses his five mistakes to avoid growing the Monkey Puzzle tree: Araucaria araucana.

Never cut these plants in February

February brings with it some sunnier days, hints of warmer weather, and for many gardeners thoughts of venturing outside to tidy up in the garden are no longer repelling! However, there are some plants that will need to be spared an early spring cut in order to provide the very best ornamental and floral displays as the season progresses. So in this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses which plants should never be cut back in February.

Top Five flowering shrubs for February for gardening beginners

It is undeniable that February will bring the first semblances of warm weather, yet most gardens will still look as though they are stuck, frozen within the depths of winter. However all is not lost because it is indeed possible to bring some seasonal blooms onto the garden despite being so early on in the new season. So, in this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses his Top Five flowering shrubs for February for gardening beginners.

How to Grow and Care for King Protea - Protea cynaroides

The Protea genus is home to some of the most exotic flowering plants in the world. Native to South Africa, they can be a little difficult to grow here in the UK although that are successfully cultivated on the south west coast of England and in particular the Isles of Scilly. However they will need to be kept in a frost free position and will require a specific root environment o thrive. In this video, English horticulturist Simon explains all.

Alan Titchmarsh says 'Complete these Gardening Jobs before end of Januar...

February is just around the corner which means it is close to being too late to finish off those time sensitive gardening jobs that would need to be done in January. In this video, English horticulturist Simon goes through Alan Titchmarsh's list of January garden tasks, explaining why these jobs are done and how to do it for those gardening beginners.

Five Mistakes to Avoid Growing Australia's Dinosaur tree Wollemi Pine - ...

Australia's Dinosaur tree Wollemi Pine - Wollemia nobilis, is a tree with a remarkable back story. Dating back to the time of the dinosaurs, it was believed to have become extinct millions of years ago until it was found in a secret ravine in New South Wales, Wollemi Park in 1994. Propagating this species has been very successful and they are now available to buy in most counties with a suitable climate and environment. However there are some issues regarding its care that need to be addressed first.

Monty Don's four gardening jobs that must be completed by the end of Jan...

You may have thought that you had finished gardening until the spring but gardening nation treasure, Monty Don has other ideas. In this video he has four garden jobs that he will want to see completed by the end of January!

Are these the top five, best exotic tropical palm trees for gardens and ...

If you are looking for the very best exotic, tropical or subtropical palms for your Indian garden or landscaping then we have a fantastic collection of tried and tested palm trees for your consideration.

How and When to Cut, Prune or Trim Magnolias

Pruning, cutting or simply trimming your Magnolia can cause substantial problems, especially if you use the wrong technique or do so at the wrong time of year. So in this video English horticulturist Simon discusses the when and how to cut these magnificent plants. Although to be fair you are probably best off never pruning them unless you really are forced to!

Cut these Plants Back Now in January, Before it's too Late Prune, Trim

For most people, gardening in January is more about enjoying the garden from the comfort of your back room rather than doing any actual work in it. However, there are a number of time sensitive cuts that will need to be made in order to improve the health or your plants and to ensure fantastic flowering displays in the following season. So in this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses which plants he regards needs to be cut during this month. Never forget to cut these plants in January.

Is this Lanzarote's Best Cactus Garden Visit? Things to do Lanzarote Jar...

Jardín de Cactus in Lanzarote, otherwise known as Cesar Manrique's masterpiece cactus garden, is a fantastic fusion of both art and the natural forms of drought tolerant plants mostly dominated by specimen cacti and succulents.

Three gardening Jobs that Alan Titchmarsh says to complete by the end of...

You may have though that you had finished gardening for the winter, however Alan Titchmarsh has other plants! He has three gardening jobs that he insists should be completed by the end of January. So, in thus video English horticulturist Simon discusses what they are and why they are important.

Don't forget these January Garden Jobs

No-one in their right mind really wants to do some gardening in the depth of winter, however there are a number of really important, time sensitive garden jobs that you would do well to complete. Why? Because you can improve both the vigour, health and ornamental value of many of your plants come the spring. In this video, English horticulturist Simon discusses these often forgotten January garden jobs.

Enjoy these Top Garden Attractions at Wakehurst Place: Glow Wild: Kew i...

Join us as we visit Wakehurst Place garden otherwise known as Kew in the country. We walk around the gardens, check out the Glow Wild display and walk around inside the 16th Century mansion. Don't forget the crown jewel of Wakehurst gardens - the Millennium seed bank.

Never Cut these Plants in January

January is the first month of the gardening year and there is a distinct change in the air! Any leaves that could have dropped have dropped, winter flowering plants are beginning to show their colours, and the temptation to get back into the garden for a tidy up can be compelling for some. However, before your get to work with you secateurs and shears, take a moment to check both what needs and what does not need cutting now. Get this wrong and you could be removing a huge amount of next years flowering wood which could ruin next years ornamental displays! In this video, English horticulturist Simon hopes to point you in the right direction by discussing which plants should never be cut in January!

You must sow these seeds in January: Easy seeds for beginners

It is the first month of the year and the spring season is just around the corner. This means that many of your exotic or slow to germinate seeds need to be sown now so that they are ready for planting out in the garden once the threat of late frost has passed. In this video English horticulturist Simon discusses which flower and vegetable seeds need to be planted now before its too late.

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