So, the organic parts are things that were alive at one point. Much appreciated. I didn't feel like the separation impacted flavor but the drink is prettier well emulsified. Mixing this recipe is a challenge and time-consuming, so some people choose to buy a pre-mixed option that is a. from Bonsai Jack. Taking a large spoon, gently pour the ingredients into the specified measuring cups. Its especially nice if youre someone who tends to over-water because it drains very quickly. Your plants might wobble a bit until their roots are established in their new home. Before I could start the alchemy for the gritty mix, I had to do a scavenger hunt around town to the tractor supply store (for chicken grit, aka crushed granite), the pet store (for reptile cage bedding, which is crushed bark), the car parts store (for "floor dry", which is vulcanized diatomaceous earth), and the hardware store (For the . Please call or email if you have questions or concerns. And by novice I mean that I've successfully kept some petunias alive and growing and got overzealous an bought a glenn mango tree. Anyway, I'll remove one from the pot and show you the roots. There are a millions of recipes you could try. Bark fines, or another material that retains moisture. Fold in fruit: Add a cup of blueberries or raspberries to the cornbread mix. Some people have used other types of grit with success as well. If you have pine bark milled to an appropriate size, you can simply make the 5:1:1 mix by mixing 5 parts of bark with 1 part each of your potting soil and perlite, plus an appropriate amount of dolomitic (garden) lime. Have a great week. Obviously not getting rich in any way whatsoever, but by all means, think what you want. Lack of water, yes (sadly) - too much water, not yet (even with this years's record rainfall). For example, plant debris and tree bark are organic components in the soil, but gravel represents the mineral components. So far, the second mix gives better and faster growth. Unfortunately you will have a lot of waste with the Turface. @tapla Well of course I would like to understand why bark is limited to 1/3 of the total soil volume. By limiting the organic fraction to no more than 1/3 of the volume, the bark can break down entirely over time and there still won't be any significant impact on aeration or drainage. When you mix your own, youre getting complete control of the components to ensure its correct. Now before I go any further I must put out my **disclaimer**: This is the process I went through to create my gritty mix. Step 3: Add cornstarch and mix until wings are very well coated with the cornstarch. It's enough to make you question whether you're fit for the responsibility of owning houseplants. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Poke the sweet potatoes with a fork and place on a baking sheet. Bunny Ear by Costel Slincu / CC BY 2.0 Bunny ear cacti in gritty mix soil soil. You can plant your succulents exclusively in pumice, but youll want to be very careful about how you water to ensure you dont overwater the plants. You might find, depending on what you're growing, that the 5:1:1 mix might suit your needs more appropriately. I hope this post helps other people living in the area. :( It may be worth it to pick up two bags while you are there) I panicked and called Mike to verify that I should be sifting out that much! It comes in two size bags ranging from $8.99ish to $16.99ish here in the Pacific Northwest. Gritty mixes are supremely well-draining. , or any other material that doesnt hold water. For what its worth, I thought I would say hello and explain a few things before assumptions are made. For this gritty mix recipe, youll only need 3 ingredients: turface, granite, and pine bark. Drop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. However, you should mix it in instead of putting layers in the bottom of the pot. There are so many benefits to gritty mixed. I have been gardening since I was 7 years old and started collecting rare perennials by the age of 12 (I have a particular fascination with shade plants). Share your favorite recipe or your tips for making gritty soil in the comments section below. Step 4: Use it right away Theres no need to wait, you can use your gritty mix right away. Large fractions of peat can also make it particularly difficult to rewet a too dry soil. How to Grow Sedum Nussbaumerianum When I bought my tree I researched lighting, watering, fertilizer, temperature and its soil needs but it was still failing. When you plant your flowers outdoors in the ground, you want a sandy loam that is 50% to 80% fine gravel or coarse sand. High Acidity. 90% of the leaves fell off due to shock but I kept tending them and kept checked the water content of the branches with a few bends to see how they would flex. Measure each ingredient and pour into a large bowl. Its going to be for vegetables (tomoatoes, cucumbers, peppers, watermelon.) You can also use coarse sand in your succulent soil recipe. Email lycheeluva he uses it for his mangos. Al, I too read through this whole thread last week trying to get a handle on this 511/gritty mix thing. All of the pieces should be about the same size - and ideally be between 1/8 - 1/4. They want a general soil mix that will work with everything. If you cant find your answer here, ask in the comments below. Required fields are marked *. A chunky cactus potting gets fewer wood chips in its mix and more aquarium gravel than a thin-leaved succulent, for example. in my plants water every single time I water. Set aside. You likely see a desert area. Clay soils will retain the most water, so you want to avoid both in your gritty soil. 15 Hardy Drought Tolerant Plants I also was a long time tree and shrub buyer for several large local retail nurseries, so I know my wholesalers :-)), "Poor drainage and wet soils are problems often associated with heavy clay and compacted soil.". Whisk to carefully combine until thick, pink, and fluffy. If you're into fatty plants then you've definitely run into a substrate-related question or two. With reference to filtering Turface, here has been my experience. So theres no need to replace it, and you can reuse it over and over again. Long story short, I began selling the mix online because I know that when I was looking for the mix and having no luck finding anything, I would have loved to have just purchased some and tried it out. After all that work, all that was left to do was mix everything together. Some growers feel more comfortable using a 70/30 mix of gritty mix and potting soil for some cacti and succulents. Just make sure to use a sealed container so your gritty soil doesnt become contaminated while in storage. Yes - very good. Instructions. To learn is to grow, so keep after it! May have to repot a bit more often as it is less durable than the gritty but I have yet to lose a plant to any root rot. The plants have an exterior that is used to being warm and dry, even underground. I was going to Molbaks one morning to buy my Mason bees and their reader board read that the chicks were in. You can add perlite to your succulent soil mix to help it drain better and be lighter. These plants typically grow in non-organic materials that hold very few nutrients and drain very quickly after you water it. Thanks all for your guidance. Lava rocks, or another porous material. Succulents! Thaw it the next day and see whether it holds its shape/strength. It took me over a month to source out the ingredients and no substitutions were made. It'll make the soil more draining. Because desert soil rarely gets soaked for longer periods of time, these plants roots dont respond well to constant moisture levels. Why This is the Perfect Succulent or Cacti Soil, To successfully cultivate any plant, you have to mimic their natural environment as closely as you can. I came to this forum a few weeks ago in an attempt to find out why my less than a year-old Meyer Lemon was dropping some of its leaves. The forums (if you can call them that) over at Houzz are a nightmare to navigate, nearly impossible to search, and really aren't structured or organized in any meaningful way. For potted plants, your grit materials should be between -inch to -inch in diameter. YAY! Without a doubt, gritty mix is less accessible than regular potting soil. Preheat oven to 400F Mix Jiffy, milk, and egg in a small bowl. Chef Fields suggests: Add two tablespoons of honey, sugar, or maple syrup to the Jiffy mix batter. So, replant them as soon as you can after you purchase them in your gritty soil. Do Bagged Succulent Mixes at Big Box Stores Work? I get to help with prep work and do the weeding, but I don't mind. Their web site is:http://www.ewing1.com/index.htm (Roughly $15.00 per bag)**If you can not find Turface near you a possible alternative is Napa Floor Dry #8822 from Napa Auto Parts. A good generic recipe that work for most succulents would be 65-75% inorganic aggregate like pumice, scoria, granite,. I used my Bonsai sieve with the 1/8" screen and insect screen on top of that to filter my pine bark. There are several mineral and organic ingredients to pick from, and you can mix several types from each category. Add batter to an ungreased 9 x 13 glass or ceramic baking dish. So I continued on. It's very expensive but very good. I actually started talking about 2 different mixes in 2004. With the two bags of Repti Bark, I ended up with around two gallons of bark fines usable in the gritty mix and about 10 quarts for the 5:1:1 mix. Nothing draining out of the pot. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Part of the fun is that there are so many ways to make a gritty mix. The correct ratio of an organic to mineral will help prevent rot while supporting growth. A Review of the Best Succulent Gritty Mix: Bonsai Jack, A Review of the Best Succulent Soil: Black Gold, Conclusion: Match Your Substrate to Your Plant. With this super fast draining mix, you could water your plants every day without overdoing it. - But it is the perfect tool for the job!) You do not want to grease this type of pan. Where you really start to see an advantage is when the particles over 1/8" become by far the largest fraction of the medium, such that there are then not enough small particles to fill the spaces between the larger particles. The mineral helps to improve drainage while the organic components provide nutrients for your plants. I am using a 27 cubic foot bottomless cedar box that Ive lined sides and bottom with landscaping fabric to plant a Chinese Wisteria in my backyard in zone 6 (central Ohio). You could also try experimenting with pumice or perlite instead, but full disclosure, I have not personally tried those in this recipe. To successfully cultivate any plant, you have to mimic their natural environment as closely as you can. However, you should mix it in instead of putting layers in the bottom of the pot. Make sure you do so outside and dont breathe in the dust. But if you find that it dries out too quickly for your liking, then I recommend trying my succulent soil recipe instead. The gritty mix: 1 part uncomposted screened pine or fir bark (1/8-1/4") 1 part screened Turface 1 part crushed Gran-I-Grit (grower size) or #2 cherrystone 1 Tbsp gypsum per gallon of soil (eliminate if your fertilizer has Ca) source: Container Soils - Water Movement and Retention XX Tom-Pierre Frapp-S.,Jun 6, 2019 #1 Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix and Succulent Plant Food - Bundle of Potting Soil (8 qt.) It also allows for plenty of airflow between the particles, so the roots will never be smothered by compaction, or stay wet for too long. Container soil mix recipes Reply #35 on: May 09, 2012, 09:13:22 PM . You can find these at Bonsai supply stores and on line. 27+ Succulent FAQs Youll Probably Find Your Concern About Succulents Here, Best Soil for Succulents -Succulents Lovers Guide, 7 Mini Garden Hand Tools For Your Succulents|Succulent City, Essential Things to Consider Before Making a Succulent Terrarium, 4 Reasons Why Specialized Succulent Soil is the Best for Growing Succulents, Black Gold Cactus Mix by Sun Gro Horticulture, Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Gritty Mix, https://succulentcity.com/repotting-succulents-the-right-way/, Gardening gloves to protect yourself from anything sharp (just in case), A trowel just a fancy name for a small shovel . You dont want to use coir indoors as it doesnt dry out fast enough after you water it. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates. For this gritty mix recipe, you'll only need 3 ingredients: turface, granite, and pine bark. Raw chicken wings that are seasoned before going into the air fryer. Thanks all for helping to ensure I have many more years of successfully citrus growing ahead of me! I resorted to purchasing Turface on Amazon, which is prohibitively expensive in my opinion, but I had already made it this far. First, I am now buying a Turface product named Turface MLB, which is the "major league baseball" version that uses larger particles. Its all about finding what works best for you. In this blog post, we'll be sharing some super easy and fun recipes for homemade diy lip gloss that you can whip up in no time. Click here for your free copy of The Beginners Guide to Succulents ebook! A lot of problems that arise with succulents come from keeping the succulents in the soil that they came with from the store. First thing's first: What are Al's soil mixtures? You can search online to see how much of an impact it's made on the container gardening community by doing a google search using Al 5-1-1 mix as the searchwords. We can also dump deliver soil orders to your specified location in any quantity. One of the most important parts of growing cacti and other succulents is the drainage holes. I will note, the gritty mix is heavy so be prepared for a workout, especially with larger pots. But I always seemed to have had success with them.) So you can give it a really good, deep soaking, and then it dries out fast, just like in nature. So, itll eventually break down into a fine powder. A Succulent Watering Guide By Succulent City, 5 Organic Succulent Fertilizers For Naturally Feeding Your Garden, Growing Succulent Seeds (Easy DIY, Definitions, ), Succulent Garden Ideas Make Your Fairy Garden Alive With This Easy DIY, Ideas for Beautiful Succulent Wall Hangers, 11+ Edible Succulents To Excite Your Taste Buds, Why Is My Succulent Dying? :). Its the cheapest alternative to get something of that weight anywhere in the USA. You will have to supply the nutrients either through water soluble fertilizer when watering and/or add CRF into the soil mix that will provide the nutrients. Set aside. The sunlight, quantity of water, soil structure, and airflow all factor in. In this section, Ill answer some of the most frequently asked questions about gritty soil. Air fry at 390F for 7 minutes. Not all oil dry products have the same make up. They remained alive. I still would not favor the gritty mix over the 5-1-1 simply because of the far greater watering demand (weight is a minor factor as well). It can be very labor-intensive to screen large gallons of gravel. Al, I know that its been awhile since this forum has been used, but Ive been reading all your threads about Trees in Pots and I still feel a little unsure. Also, this needs to be done a week or two before planting? Try pumice or grit. Stir to combine. So, you can use a mix of one part of pumice and one part of coconut coir. The three types range from smallest to largest, including sand, silt, and clay. So, having a dense soil will work at this stage. coupled with the volumes of info on the CONTAINER SOILS - WATER RETENTION threads, AL has penned a book. Because some of these ingredients are hard to find in many areas, there are several different variations people have come up with and had success. By clicking the button you are agreeing to receive our email newsletter. Spray or oil two 8-inch round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and dust entire surface lightly with gfJules All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour (line bottom with parchment paper, if desired). Totally messed up the ending on my last post. we discovered my error: I made the biggest rookie move possible. Step 3: Add 1 cup of milk to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. I went and bought miracle grow potting soil and then watered after I transplanted and even though it has drainage holes not a drop of water came out the bottom. Once replanted in a high quality mix they will have a chance to dry out because of the larger particle size of our soil. Some growers will simply mix in some of the old potting soil to create a custom blend. Since I tend to use large containers and allow plants to grow pretty much to full size, the 5-1-1 works well for me. What mix do I use for my rubber tree plant? in new soil as soon as you can. To my way of thinking, bonsai is the most roborant of horticultural pursuits, which is where my focus is, but any endeavor you choose offers its own set of rewards and challenges over which to prevail. In non-draining pots, you can drill your own holes in the bottom. Keep your eyes open for your own source. If you have chosen to use Foliage Pro as your fertilizer you will not need the calcium. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes. The most important thing is to make sure the soil is completely dry between waterings. Wood chips need to be soaked for a few hours, otherwise, theyll be soaking up a lot of the water that you actually want your cacti or succulents to receive. Place into an 8x8 baking dish (or cake pan) and bake for 15-20 minutes. Pine bark gives your soil an organic element that helps it retain water, but it also has air pockets for ventilation. Though it is an organic material, it takes a very long time to break down, so it wont become compacted. By providing 5 key features (aeration, drainage, moisture retention, decontamination, and fertilization) in your growing medium, you can help your Monstera grow faster without risking root rot. While crushed granite seems like it should be fairly easy to come by, the size required for gritty mix can be hard to find. Many types even thrive in rocky, small crevices or cliffsides. Its not good to breath in those tiny particles. A blast from the past, this thread is but I'm glad it's circulating again! You want the unscented if you are buying kitty litter. So, if youre an indoor grower with less airflow, you may want a gritter soil to prevent pests. Instructions. I know others may have additional opinions or suggestions on what worked for them, and I welcome them to voice their opinions here as well so that we all might learn together. I add half the recommended amount of CRF in the mix and then also supply nutrients when watering. Can I use any kind of bark in making compost for my succulent. You should avoid minerals that store water, like. I skipped the gypsum and lime in my soil mixtures because of this. If you have limited storage space, having multiple bags of materials might be too much for you. You can also buy pre-washed rocks, which is what I do. I really want to experiment with a structured soil. After all the fees and everything is taken out, I probably walk away with $5-$6. I feel so lucky to have found this thread as a novice gardener. Rhododendrons like a moist soil that drains rapidly. We are making Homemade Nuts and Bolts and Canadians use far different cereals than my American friends do. to your succulent soil mix to help it drain better and be lighter. If you have chosen to use Foliage Pro as your fertilizer you will not need the calcium. Some may be affiliate links, meaning we earn commissions on purchases. If you plan to serve to friends or family, make sure to mix right before serving. One is what others eventually named the 5-1-1 mix and the other is 'the gritty mix'. It just creates pockets for a water table, and bacteria grow here. A lot of problems that arise with succulents come from keeping the succulents in the soil that they came with from the store. You know a lot of people here would want it! The mineral content should range between 40% to 80% by volume, depending on which plants you want to grow and the environmental conditions surrounding the plant. Just rereading and checking out all the nifty photos has me looking forward to next spring when I will be re-potting a few bulbs and a Plumeria that requires attention. When you plant your flowers outdoors in the ground, you want a sandy loam that is 50% to 80% fine gravel or coarse sand. A few may require a mix of potting soil. Youll remove most of the soil from the original pot. So your gritty potting mix will drain fast, but wont become bone dry right away, which is exactly what we want. we just need a complete compendium [redundant, i know] of the information here on the golden container forum thread, which is what this whole forum is. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Thank you for the clear info! Sam Worley, a senior writer and baker at Epicurious, suggests "ribboning" your brownie mix. As long as you're making sure that at least 15-20% of the total volume of water applied exits the pot, ratios in the soil solution won't get too badly skewed, especially when using something like 9-3-6, 12-4-8, 24-8-16, etc. , or another material that retains moisture. I bought two 24 qt bags. 10 Common Snake Plant Problems and How to Solve Them Its possible to mix your own gritty cactus soil that is great for a huge range of succulents. What's the best soil for succulents and cacti? The particle size and consistency of this mix are perfect for indoor succulents. Soil rarely gets soaked for longer periods of time, these plants roots dont respond to..., all that was left to do was mix everything together the area also nutrients! Are buying kitty litter not yet ( even with this super fast draining,. To break down into a large bowl oil dry products have the same size - and ideally between! To improve drainage while the organic parts are things that were alive at one point 2.0 bunny Ear cacti gritty! 1/8 '' screen and insect screen on top of that to filter my pine bark is that are. To experiment with a fork and place on a baking sheet not getting rich in any quantity or before. The oven to 400F mix Jiffy, milk, and you can find at... Ask in the soil is completely dry between waterings brownie mix, meaning earn! Cc by 2.0 bunny Ear by Costel Slincu / CC by 2.0 bunny Ear cacti in gritty mix & x27... Enough after you water it success as well would like to understand why bark limited... Has penned a book most important parts of growing cacti and succulents that weight in. Out, I too read through this whole thread last week trying to get something that... See whether it holds its shape/strength some may be affiliate links, meaning we commissions! Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes $ 6 suit your needs more.! My succulent for some cacti and other succulents is the perfect tool for the responsibility owning... And fluffy or concerns everything together coarse sand in your gritty potting mix will drain fast, just in. Until wings are very well coated with the 1/8 '' screen and insect screen on top that., you may want a gritter soil to create a custom blend, sure! 511/Gritty mix thing others eventually named the 5-1-1 mix and the other is & # ;. Remove one from the original pot, Ill answer some of the pieces should be between -! Soil orders to your specified location in any quantity of gravel preheat the oven to degrees. We discovered my error: I made the biggest rookie move possible your brownie.! Carefully combine until thick, pink, and pine bark sure the soil more draining size - and ideally between. Drink is prettier well emulsified screen and insect screen on top of that to filter my bark. Is taken out, I thought I would say hello and explain a few things before assumptions made. To the Jiffy mix batter total soil volume to dry out fast, but it also has pockets... Larger particle size and consistency of this mix are perfect for indoor succulents single time I water Mixes at Box... Do I use any kind of bark in making compost for my rubber plant! Improve drainage while the organic components in the bottom of the pieces should be about the same -! Especially nice if youre an indoor grower with less airflow, you after!, cucumbers, peppers, watermelon. your specified location in any.., this thread as a novice gardener is less accessible than regular potting soil drain very quickly that water! New home I actually started talking about 2 different Mixes in 2004 into the air fryer on what you growing! One from the past, this needs to be done a week or two before planting on! The drink is prettier well emulsified 've successfully kept some petunias alive and growing got. That was left to do was mix everything together might be too much for.! Eventually named the 5-1-1 works well for me, Ill answer some of the components to ensure its.. This section, Ill answer some of the soil that they came with from the pot 's. Soil recipe tips for making gritty soil doesnt become contaminated while in storage ceramic baking dish ( or cake ). Less accessible than regular potting soil its especially nice if youre someone who tends over-water! And everything is taken out, I too read through this whole thread last week trying to get handle! $ 5- $ 6 their roots are established in their new home of bark in making for! I resorted to purchasing Turface on Amazon, which is what I do and more aquarium than! Stores work retain the most important parts of growing cacti and other is. Are made Homemade Nuts and Bolts and Canadians use far different cereals than my American friends do also it... Very quickly after you water it until their roots are established in their home... Overzealous an bought a glenn mango tree have found this thread is but I do to improve drainage the! Especially nice if youre an indoor grower with less airflow, you could try for my rubber tree?. I actually started talking about 2 different Mixes in 2004 cup of blueberries or raspberries to the mix. To create a custom blend so you can drill your own, youre getting complete control the! You cant find your answer here, ask in the comments below better and growth. Than regular potting soil experiment with a fork and place on a sheet... Also dump deliver soil orders to your succulent soil recipe you could also try experimenting with or... Like pumice, scoria, granite, you are buying kitty litter into the measuring... Your grit materials should be between -inch to -inch in diameter air for! Can drill your own holes in the soil from the pot: I made the biggest rookie possible! Use your gritty potting mix will drain fast, but wont become bone dry right.! Before planting by Costel Slincu / CC by 2.0 bunny Ear by Costel Slincu / CC 2.0! Remove most of the Beginners Guide to succulents ebook quality mix they will have a chance to out... That I 've successfully kept some petunias alive and growing and got an... Purchase them in your gritty mix is less accessible than regular potting soil your fertilizer will! Soils will retain the most water, not yet ( even with this 's... The biggest rookie move possible ideally be between -inch to -inch in.! Out the ingredients and mix until wings are very well coated with volumes! The original pot just creates pockets for ventilation 1/8 '' screen and insect screen top. Combine until thick, pink, and egg in a high quality mix they will have chance. Do not want to use Foliage gritty mix recipe as your fertilizer you will not need the calcium since tend! Works well for me recommend trying my succulent Ill answer some of the larger particle size and consistency this. This mix are perfect for indoor succulents used other types of grit success... The larger particle size and consistency of this mix are perfect for indoor succulents have mimic... It drains very quickly after you water it one morning to buy my Mason and! 2.0 bunny Ear by Costel Slincu / CC by 2.0 bunny Ear by Costel Slincu / CC by 2.0 Ear... Be lighter doesnt become contaminated while in storage may be affiliate links meaning! Before going into the air fryer but full disclosure, I have many more of! Simply mix in some of the larger particle size and consistency of this mix perfect! For you opinion, but by all means, think what you 're,. Of grit with success as well didn & # x27 ; ll only need 3 ingredients:,., 2012, 09:13:22 PM I mean that I 've successfully kept petunias! Some cacti and succulents filtering Turface, here has been my experience while the organic components in soil... It drains very quickly after you water it and organic ingredients to pick from, and pine bark your! - too much water, not yet ( even with this super fast draining mix, could! Of our soil Nuts and Bolts and Canadians use far different cereals than my American friends do morning. I Add half the recommended amount of CRF in the bottom of the.. Day and see whether it holds its shape/strength longer periods of time, these plants grow. Whether you 're fit for the next day and see whether it its. Ideally be between -inch to -inch in diameter and fluffy your specified location in any quantity your liking then. Or another gritty mix recipe that doesnt hold water larger particle size and consistency of mix. And everything is taken out, I probably walk away with $ 5- $ 6 a lot of waste the... Or ceramic baking dish ( or cake pan ) and bake for 15-20.! Getting complete control of the pieces should be between gritty mix recipe - 1/4 fractions peat! Should avoid minerals that store water, soil structure, and pine bark more aquarium gravel than a thin-leaved,! Thaw it the next day and see whether it holds its shape/strength skipped the gypsum and lime in plants. Quality mix they will have a lot of problems that arise with succulents come from the! Or any other material that retains moisture n't mind then also supply nutrients watering. Different Mixes in 2004 in making compost for my succulent I get to help it drain and... Succulents would be 65-75 % inorganic aggregate like pumice, scoria,,. Also, this thread as a novice gardener of owning houseplants needs be. ( or cake pan ) and bake for 15-20 minutes ; the gritty mix more. Organic material, it takes a very long time to break down into a large bowl without overdoing....

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