My Longest Plant Care Q & A Ever - Mastering Leca, Moss Poles & More!

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Күн бұрын

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@alfredarogers5197 7 ай бұрын

Nora you are the reason all my beauties are in Leca. It took one year to complete the transitions and I don't regret it. From nutrients, moss poles I've grown to love how my beauties thrive. You are my sensai when it comes to plants grown in Leca. I'm always name dropping (Nora The Leca Queen) when folks ask me how I got started and want a clearer explanation of what Leca is and how to use it. I share with them my experience but encourage them to check out your You Tube channel.

@TheLecaQueen 2 күн бұрын

You are too kind, thank you.

@TajmToCook 10 күн бұрын

My hubby has all sorts of tools in garage and of course, he has a soldering iron as well. Great, that's a few quid (£££) I am saving there. I was making holes in my pots for about an hour or two yesterday. Unfortunately, I ran out of pots otherwise, I could do that all day long. Burnt plastic is not the best smell in the world but we had lovely weather so I was sitting outside and the breeze was blowing the stench away. The whole hole making process was so relaxing 😊

@TheLecaQueen 10 күн бұрын

I know right!

@mcooper3271 5 ай бұрын

Would love a video about best first plants to try in Leca - ie ones that transition easily and are forgiving! Thanks!

@lindadavis7021 8 ай бұрын

Nora ... that was very informative, and your experience in every aspect of growing plants in leca is a wealth of knowledge. Nora, thank you for all that you do for the plant community. I may be 67 and living with MS, but I keep it moving and keep trying.. I may mess up and have lost quite a few plants in leca at the beginning of my plant journey because of the lack of knowledge. But watching your videos and listening to your experiences with leca helps me a lot and doing much better with it.. Nora, I truly need your book on my coffee table so I can reference it at any given time... I'm claiming it !!!! You're just simply awesome!!!

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Linda, you are too kind! Your words really lift me up, and I will try my hardest to get you that book!

@lindadavis7021 8 ай бұрын

Nora, just think of how awesome that would be ... 🪴🌱🌿💚💯

@sarahthatcher6924 Ай бұрын

I have my leca plants outside in the summer (northeastern US) and I occasionally find mosquito larvae in the reservoirs. I just dump the water out on the sidewalk when I do a water change. I haven’t noticed more mosquitos than usual in my yard.

@bwilliams5471 Ай бұрын

Yes, this video was long, but it was sooo worth it. Thank you for so much valuable information.

@leafslut 2 күн бұрын

Well Nora, *sigh* I'm watching this right before moving my first plant to semi hydro: an alocasia! Yay! But thankfully, it's not the only one! I will revisit in the future! 😂

@marcelveldbloem7431 8 күн бұрын

Forgot to compliment you on your Begonia Ice ... Very beautyfull

@rafalz9275 8 ай бұрын

Hello Nora:) regarding Dean McDowell - put a jar or no drenage pot with wet leca and some water in it next to a pot with your plant, so that the first node could touch the surface of that jar. Cover with plastic. Add some water if needed so that leca is wet all the time. I root my crawlers this way although i dont use leca for them because they will grow to fast in it😂

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for the insight! Exactly what I am planning to do when I get round to it! The fast growth in leca can be a problem!

@surgerystudio7654 4 күн бұрын

Omg! I just bought my first Philodendron Dean McDowell today and decided to try to grow it in Lecca! Hence why I started watching this video 😂 Didn’t realize it would be a problem for ongoing root development. But I like your thinking…..🤔 I’ll search and see if you ever made a video on the outcome!

@Gkrissy 8 ай бұрын

I live in the Southern US and have put my leca philodendron xanadu outside in the summer season to benefit from the fast growth. I had no issues with mosquitoes. The only time I examine for mosquitoes is when I catch rainwater and I usually use that water for my outdoor plants and catch the water sooner for my indoor plants.

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

This is great to know. What kind of setup do you have? Is your reservoir exposed?

@PlantyMessyHypsie 7 ай бұрын

👑 The most informative video on Leca, by far. Thank you for this!

@TheLecaQueen 7 ай бұрын

You are very welcome 🙏

@ronniep3773 8 ай бұрын

This was FABULOUS. You answered MY question and even some questions I haven't even thought of yet. You've inspired me to get started. Thank you.

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@juanitagordon5064 7 ай бұрын

Wow wow wow look at your beautiful plants!!!😳😳im so jealous, I love love everything I see and everything you do. I have learned so much listening to all your advice, it has help with my palm plant,stop dying and grow very well. Thank you. But and there is always a but my umbrella plant does well for a moment and then it start dying again the leaves are turning yellow and yes, I do have it and your solution help help

@ssar2857 2 ай бұрын

I just subscribed from Canada sister.I love your show. no music and nice to hear .

@marcelveldbloem7431 8 күн бұрын

Hallo I live in South America and just started my Philodendron collection (30+ ) Also some Begonia's Love your vid's good explaining One question I use a mix of pine bark, pumice , some perlite and a bit rice husk ( use what locally easy to get) I am switching to semi hydroponics with this mixture and self made moss poles Moss poles have very little moss but with the other mentioned above components Instead I use the synthetic stuffing of pillows ( very water retaining) dispersed through the pole mixture So there are pockets of "wet" and dryer parts from the bark ect Seems to be working ok Mind you this is in the tropics so much more heat eg evaporation Keep up the good job 💯👍🏾👍🏾

@KC-gj4bi 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Nora for your in-depth questions and answers video ❤

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

You are very welcome, and thanks for watching.

@suezy1969 6 ай бұрын

I wish I like growing in Leica…but I don’t , but I do enjoy popping in to watch a video now and then to see how you’re doing :)

@TheLecaQueen 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your support. Leca is certainly not for everyone, as is anything really. As long as whatever method you are using works for you and your plants is all that matters. 😉

@MeAndMyPokok 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for your explanation. Great info for plant beginners like me 🌿🌱💚

@TheLecaQueen 2 ай бұрын

You are very welcome

@Gkrissy 8 ай бұрын

Very educational video Nora. I learned something new that my “colored leca” in my pink princess is ceramsite. My crawling philodendron are thriving in that medium along with 2 baby stromanthe tricolors 😆.

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind words. Yeah, a lot of people get caught by the coloured leca thing. They look really cute but can be deadly for our plants. I am so glad your plants are thriving.

@crownme180 4 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏾 😊❤

@marygatdula2744 8 ай бұрын

I quit watering my moss poles altogether. The plants are still going crazy with new growth. No problem attaching to the moss pole. No problems at all. It's been a couple of months since I've gone dry. I also don't flush my plants very often at all because I just forget to. So they may get flushed once every six months or less. I don't change the solution much either. I just keep the solution topped up every few days. My cuttings simply go into a glass jar filled with nutrient solution only. Sometimes, they just stay there indefinitely. My sister has had plants growing this way in just plain water for years! I think people just worry too much or try too hard. Plants are actually a lot more hardy than you'd think. I do have a few cheap grow lights because I don't have much natural light at all! I have not had a single pest since I've moved and started growing plants again (over two years) except for some pestky gnats, which I got when I bought a cheap brand of sphagnum moss. UGH! But those were eventually taken care of with some of those cute sticky traps. I have only had trouble with a few kinds of plants. The watermellon Peparomia, for one. And the Syngonium Maria, and probably one or two more. But I have ZZ plants, a snake plant, and a Dracaena Janet Craig in leca, and they are doing great. My Peace Lily does hate me for some reason, though, which is okay because I hate her too! LOL Maybe one day we will get along better. We will just have to see. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, don't overthink it! If your plant isn't doing well, change it up just a bit and see what happens. Don't wait until it's completely dead to make a change! Not all plants will love you, but there are way more that will!

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

I love your comment! I agree 100% not to overthink it but just do it and find out what works. Very few of us have the time or the stamina to keep moss poles moist, the plants will still grow! And yes, some plants make us work harder for their love (Maidenhair fern, I am looking at you!) but it is worth it, and really all about the learning that happens in the struggles.

@aplantprocess 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for addressing the fact that there are many variables to consider. I so appreciate that you provide evidence that growing plants in LECA, in combination of meeting their needs, can lead to amazing results. I know I’m a broken record on this topic but for those interested in exploring other setups… I have hundreds of plants in no drainage single vessel glass cylinder vases. I’ve been using this setup for 1.5+ years. My plants are happier than they were in soil in pots where water drained out of the pot into a saucer. They’re as happy, or happier, than they were when they came to me in net pots and semi-hydro setups (when I’ve purchased them from private sellers). Root rot isn’t a problem in my setup so long as I meet their needs and start with healthy roots and I don’t provide too much moisture for the specific plants. The biggest benefit for me is the look, but I like being able to quickly monitor the roots. All that being said, I wouldn’t continue if I didn’t find it so easy (I typically let my reservoirs dry and I try to position more plants to need more water about once a week). But whatever. You’re amazing Nora. I always like your videos and I subscribed a long time ago, for those that haven’t… do it!!!

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

You are too kind! Thank you for your unwavering support, I truly appreciate it. I love how you are using a method that works for you. I think it is so important for people to realise that it is not just the leca or potting mix they need to think about, but all aspects of plant care. Having a green thumb is nothing but providing the plant with what it needs, period! Happy planting!

@Crssal 8 ай бұрын

I really love that you do timestamps Nora! Always enjoy your videos. Thank you for the excellent content.

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

@vcherylcollins6290 5 ай бұрын

Hi Nora. Enjoyed your Q&A. I usually don't watch Q&As but yours was interesting. I was happy to see in one of your videos that your spider plants are surviving in LECA. Unfortunately, mine di 0:00 d not. I'm gonna try again just in case it was "user error"! 😅 Wish me luck.

@donnalegg5426 8 ай бұрын

Hey Nora I struggled with the bottle method for watering the moss poles (poles wanting to fall over with the weight and the water not coming out properly) but came up with my own very simple solution. I bought some black plastic beer cups (think they are about 380ml) cups online from a party store. I then put a single hole in the bottom .. after a fair bit of trial-and-error found the easiest way to do this and the correct size was to use a pair of pliers to hold a sewing machine needle and heat it up over my gas stove and put a single hole in the bottom of each cup. I then putt the cups on the top of each moss pole where they live permanently. When it comes time to water I just go along with my nutrient solution and put half a cup in each cup so that the top of the pole becomes moistened, then go back 10 mins later and fill all the cups. Depending on the plant I will keep going back til the entire pole is done. You certainly get to know your plants and I find that most of my small poles will take between 1.5 -2 cups and my large poles 3 - 4 cups. I used to always overfill the top cups because I couldn't see into them but prevented that problem by first filling a matching cup without a hole with the nutrient solution, then using that to water the pole.

@donnalegg5426 8 ай бұрын

Oops I forgot to mention in the above comment... I have started making "plastic" backed moss poles using 3mm corflute from bunnings ... the poles have a more trapezoid profile at the back but it is no issue at all when potting up as it follows the shape of the pot very well. I also find that they are considerably stronger than the mesh moss poles. I also used a small offcut of mesh and put it over the bottom of the pole to stop the moss going into the leca ... I could just squish it into place with my hands. Off topic ... I have tried a couple of different soldering irons and they ALL trip my safety switch so for the moment at least I have been heating an old phillips head screwdriver over my gas stove and using that to make the holes (exhaust fan on and windows open) ... takes a bit longer than a soldering iron but you get there in the end Thanks for all your awesome content Nora 😊

@amiekyte44 6 ай бұрын

What a great video. Thank you.

@TheLecaQueen 6 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@kbm4409 8 ай бұрын

Good day Nora. I love when my notifications go off for a new video. What is the container you use for your secret sauce made of? How often do you mix a batch up and how long can it stay in the container if not used up?

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Hello! I love that you have notifications on! Thank you! I use a plastic container for my sauce, and the frequency I mix a batch up depends on how many plants I have still using it. So sometimes I mix up only 1 litre and other times I mix up 5L. I keep it in a dark spot and it is all gone in a few weeks. To be honest, I have no idea exactly how long it lasts in the premixed state, it is long gone for me within 2 weeks.

@AmeldaEllis 6 ай бұрын

I love your earrings. May I know where you purchased them

@ConnieP92 8 ай бұрын

Hey Nora, thanks so much for the shout out haha! I've been off the grid for a bit as we got the travel bug and went overseas. We're back home now and I'm ready to do my Syngonium thing 😆 Thanks for the info....your syngos look fabulous!!! I just purchased a Fantasy and I have a Mojito, a Red Spot and a Batik that have come back from the 'dead' (don't know where I went wrong there) so I'll pot those babies up this week and see how they go (just gotta head over to Bunnings and get me some 100mm clear pots). Always a pleasure watching your videos 🥰

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Glad to hear all is well Connie! New syngoniums! I am so jealous!

@minagogoi3105 8 ай бұрын

Very lovely plants

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

You are too kind, thank you.

@tanjowil9743 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, Nora. I have only recently found your channel, timing could not be spot on. I not only have to report my indoor plants but had acquired about 30 more, free🎉. I wanted you to know that over the last couple of weeks, I have taken notes from your channel How to transition plants to leca. I loved the idea of doing the switch but like a newbie, felt somewhat unsure, so I kept on watching. You are a good teacher, and I love how vibrant your indoor plants look. Cut a long short, I have been doing my research for Leca supplies up here in Brisbane who also stock GT Clonex clone 1L and GT purple root gel 250ml to help get started. It's great because I can just drive there without worrying about postage, spend more on Nutrients😜. I have to wait 2 more weeks for when the Stock become available, then, I'm good to go. Your hard work sharing valuable content is appreciated. 💎🍸🍹

@msladyjune3285 8 ай бұрын

Nice informative video. 🪴Happy Planting🌿

@TheLecaQueen 7 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot

@ushaach 4 ай бұрын

Such a lovely and relaxing sight - lovely you amongst your lovely plants. ❤. Have just started trying leca ..baby steps ..all thanks to the sound and proven experience shared by you. One question if that's okay - what if the top surface is going dry due to extreme heat which is the case now where I live ? Should we pour a little water on the top or mist the top or not worry?

@saretaclinton8188 8 ай бұрын

Hi Nora. Where do you buy your pots? I love them but can’t find them anywhere! The largest mesh pot I can find is 10” & it’s a square net basket labeled for aquariums. Also, is it okay to use glass containers for leca without a mesh pot?

@kevinbrook-zr6uc 8 ай бұрын

Very good video just starting leca very interesting for me as a hobby I'm not young 😂

@TheLecaQueen 7 ай бұрын

You can do it!

@marionmcdaniel8017 8 ай бұрын

Georgia in the USA and this summer I made the mistake of putting my leca plants outside no mosquitoes in the nutrient solution but the 90 to 100 degree weather I had to fill the nutrient solution every other day and of course the humidity is naturally high now that it’s winter and my plants are back in the house was a shock to the plants the temperature change was drastic because no one keeps their home that hot so I am keeping them inside next summer I still love leca!!

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

I am really happy to hear about your experience growing leca plants outside! I am thinking that maybe getting a greenhouse might be a good way to go with our extremes of weather here. Thank you for watching.

@roflstomplolmao 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for answering my question about crawling philodendrons in LECA! I’m so glad you’re thinking the same thing 😂 I look forward to seeing how you go!

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

You are very welcome! I now have to actually do it!

@dollycaldwell4938 8 ай бұрын

Oh wow....this was amazing.....LECA #101 class!! It truly covered everything. Thank you

@TheLecaQueen 7 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@kimberlycooper5179 2 ай бұрын

Hi, I'm Kimberly. I am new to your channel. I saw one of your videos , and thought I would try leca for my calathea orbifolia also. My question is how oten do you water your plants ?

@latishadebose91 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for answering all these questions. I’m learning a lot from you. Question: have you ever put a string of peals in leca? If not any suggestions?

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

I have actually, things went well until it got spidermites and then she was a goner! I have not tried it again since, but I might now. Check out my instagram account for more content, I have more plants displayed on there. My string of Pearls is also there somewhere!

@carolstuff 8 ай бұрын

Really great Q & A Nora! I’ve had a few plants growing in leca outside this past summer. They love it outside like most tropical plants; however, the issue I had was the nutrient solution/water got so hot. I had to put the pots (reservoir & all) in a bowl of crushed ice. Within an hr, the ice melted before the ice could reach the reservoir container. I wouldn’t put the semi hydro plants outside again. Thanks so much for spending the time to answer our questions!

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

That is interesting to know about the solution getting hot. This is what I suspect would happen to me and that is why I believe I would need a green house to be able to at least control the temperature. Thank you for sharing.

@renatecormick7399 8 ай бұрын

Hi Nora. With regard to a question about mosquitoes in the reservoir of plants growing in leca outdoors, I live in a subtropical climate (a mosquito haven) and have orchids in leca which have spent the past winter and now we’re into summer but have never seen mosquitoes in the reservoir. The inner & outer pots have a gap so they could get in there but to my knowledge have chosen not to. Not a conclusive answer but white pots are not where they prefer to hide out.

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for the feedback. That is really interesting, the fat that you do not get mosquitoes! Maybe they do hate white!

@aub_k2819 8 ай бұрын

Such a great video! So helpful! Thank you for taking the time to do it! ❤

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Thank you and you are very welcome!

@danotyone 8 ай бұрын

I wish you could show me how to wrap a plant around a moss pole. I keep looking but I haven't seen how to do it step by step.

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Hello, check out this short video that addresses this issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6SadKBse7aMjbs

@102HuevosFritos 8 ай бұрын

I have a couple of plants with a wick and roots into the water that are doing just fine … but the pots bottom is clear so I can see the water level …

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

I am glad you have found a method that works for you!

@kathateria1 3 ай бұрын

Hi Nora. I'm in the UK,and I am looking for an English substitute of the rooting mix,that you use,in the long method. Any ideas?

@debstewart4094 5 ай бұрын

Good day, Nora, I'm so glad I subscribed. I have one question when you do your cuttings. And you use the rooting gel what do you use to propagate them

@TheLecaQueen 5 ай бұрын

Hello and welcome. After using the rooting gel, I put the cutting in my Special Sauce, which is a mixture of growth Technology Foliage Focus and Root Zone.

@MissyEtendances 8 ай бұрын

Thanks again for another informative video! FYI never used leca until I saw all your videos ^^ Started with monstera adansonii cuttings (because my mother plant is so big, I could experiment) it went well, so I tried with my only anthurium at the time (a crystallinum) and it's so happy! It just gave me the biggest most beautiful leaf ^^ I have now plans to move my other monsteras and anthurium to leca too^^ I still prefer pon for my phylo and alocasia, but maybe I'll try to experiment with other plants like begonia and my hoya... Keep making these helpful and fun videos to help us all with our plants! kisses from south of France^^

@MissyEtendances 8 ай бұрын

wanted to add: I followed your method to clean and soak my leca, and of course using nutrients ;-) seems to work so far so thanks again Nora!

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

You are very kind, that you for your encouraging words, they really mean alot! I am so glad your leca journey is going well!! On ward and upwards!!!

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

@@MissyEtendances Nice!!!

@user-cs1wi6yu5g Ай бұрын

Where can I got to purchase my meters, pots, and nutrients, can I order them on line andd get them all at once?I wanna get started!!!! Darlene

@TheLecaQueen Ай бұрын

Check out my Amazon store. The link is provided in the description. That should get you started. All the best.

@erikm8372 8 ай бұрын

I’ve noticed, when rooting cuttings in plain water (in a vase, cup, bottle, etc) I’ve gotten mosquitoes developing because of two reasons-there’s no nutrient solution if I’m rooting cuttings. They’ll stay away from anything that messes with their still, stagnant water. Also, any amount of PLAIN water that is a minimum of 6-8 oz. WILL be adequate for mosquitoes. If it’s a very small cup and you’re rooting cuttings, like in a TINY little dish with 2 oz. of water, that’s not enough and they usually stay gone. They like still water - and they like it relatively pure. Most mosquitoes don’t lay eggs in stagnant old ponds. You’ll see flying adult mosquitoes attracted to the water, even over swimming pools, but theyre def not laying or reproducing in it.

@erikm8372 8 ай бұрын

In a weird way, semi hydro is akin to a stagnant old pond. The nutrients are why… the larvae will not survive in it. And that’s if the reservoir is even accessible to them. And even then, no problem. Keep it filled and active.

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

That is very interesting, I did not think of that at all. It kinda makes sense! I would love to try growing outside and see how it goes!

@joelroberts9947 5 ай бұрын

You said to NOT use organic fertilizer but then said to use things like kelp to prevent transplant shock. Isn't kelp "organic"?

@tennesseewhiskey3980 Ай бұрын

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I only have a 30 percent success rate in converting soil to leca and even lower for alocasia 😢

@rinken3236 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for all this information! Getting into Leca thanks to you! I was wondering when to check on the roots when just transferred from soil to leca. Should i have a moment i check them monthly? Or should i just leave them and only check when i see something wrong with the plant?

@kesselbrenner 8 ай бұрын

Hey Nora Excellent video, your watermelon peperomia looks amazing, it’s my wife favorite plant and I keep on killing it, how you make it thrive so much? Help me save my marriage please.

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

You are so funny! My Peperomia is living in leca, that is pretty much the only thing I do differently, and I give it alot of light. Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epzUfYKqe9KNpJY

@skeletona5865 8 ай бұрын

I have to add a question im really interested about. In one of your videos, where youve showed your epipremnums with large leaves, the largest leaves were actually living in soil. Is it because they are older and you didnt use lecca before?

@TheLecaQueen 8 ай бұрын

Hello, I did address your question in this Q & A, it is right at the end. But yes, the epipremnums are older than my other plants so much larger, and because they were so large, I did not change them over to leca at first, but I explain more and show examples in the video. Have you seen the clips and still have questions?

@vikkiannhood3510 8 ай бұрын

Hello Leca Queen I use the focus folilage and i mix it like on the bottle. when I give that to my plants which have been living in water do I add more water in the pot plus the soultion or just the soulution.? Thank you in advance .I have the leca I have taken some ofmy plants out of dirt and I used the colonics o give them a root the ones who didn't have any roots I used that by itself.Want to grow all my water plants in leca .Thank you.

@Rezeazy 8 ай бұрын

Hi!! One question, I have an Anthurium Crystallinum and repot it into Leca but the leaves keeps turning yellow. How do you remedy this🙏🙏🙏. TIA!!!

@lucasvermeulen4454 7 ай бұрын

I am a bit troubled. Leca is easy to use. But when you need to use an extra pot for the plant - it´s not that easy to get them. Can I put a plant in a pot without extra pot, just directly into the leca? Also, a plant in leca isn´t necessarily in hydroculture, is it?

@KTNYC718 7 ай бұрын

Hello. Watching your videos I am starting a Leca journey with 2 Hoyas (Lisa Australis and Kentiana). I want to propagate in leca. They have no roots 🤦🏽‍♀️. I bought the same products you have for special sauce, lol The question is since there are no roots how far up should the nutrients come up? Or just sitting in reservoir is fine?

@TheLecaQueen 7 ай бұрын

Hi, have you watched this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWPci55nZrFprJo

@KTNYC718 7 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for responding!