Question
Yellow Globules in the
Hi,
I found the following question/answer thread regarding "Eggs in the Soil" (see below). I think it might be what we found in our soil (see attached picture). I would appreciate a confirmation that they are time released fertilizer pellets or enlightenment if they are something else.
Thank you,
Che
Expert: Will Creed
Date: 10/17/2007
Subject: Eggs in my soil!
Question
Hi! I believe I have some sort of insect's eggs in my houseplant. Well, actually, I'm not sure if they are eggs or if they are some sort of dissolving plant food.
I noticed that the bag of Miracle Grow soil that I bought has these clear yellow-ish round things in it. At first I thought they were spider eggs but looking online at pictures of spider mite eggs, 1. they are not found on any leaves, 2. the round things are different sizes, ranging from 1mm-6mm, and 3. only appear in the plants that I potted with soil from that bag. The bag, I found, does have small holes in it, made from either staples being ripped out or my cats clawing around the bag.
The round things are liquid filled and when popped, there is a white/grey liquid in it. When I was a kid, plant food looked like little solid white styrofoam balls or plain liquid. 20 years later, I don't know if this is some kind of advanced dissolving plant food or an insect's egg, which by the way, I don't have any in the house that I've seen that would/could lay such big eggs. I would appreciate if you could shed your knowledge and expertise on the situation.
Thank you very much!
Answer
Hi Jen,
I am pleased to inform you that those are not spider eggs. They are timed released fertilizer pellets. The pellets absorb water and dissolve a small quantity of nutrients into the soil whenever the plant is watered. They have a hard outer shell and they do squish when popped and they do release a bit of liquid when popped.
So rest easy knowing your home is not about to be infested with spiders!
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
AnswerHi Che,
I found your question in our Question Pool and thought I could help.
Here is your confirmation, the little yellow globules in the picture you sent are fertilizer pellets. They are NOT any kind of insect eggs.
A lot of people kind of freak out when they take a close look at their potting soil. Companies that make potting soil put many different things in the soil that each serve a specific function. I completely understand what some of these things might look like to people who do not know what they are or why they are in the potting soil. I know that before I knew what they really were, I myself had thought that some of these things looked like they might be something bad.
Most of the things that are put into commercial potting soil are in there to either release fertilizer into the soil over a period of time or they are there to create little spaces in the soil to promote drainage, aeration/ air flow into the soil. So the next time to are taking a closer look at your potting soil, if you see something that you are not sure if it should be there or not, ask yourself if it could do either of the two things I mentioned. If the answer is yes, then it is probably something that belongs there. If the answer is no, then you should probably find out what it really is.
