Eggs in compost?

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by daisybelle, May 27, 2022.

  1. daisybelle

    daisybelle Gardener

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2006
    Messages:
    326
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Science tech
    Ratings:
    +48
    This is cheap 4x50l from the range compost. Looked fine the first bag and a half, then that half bag has been sat, top wrapped up, in the greenhouse. Took some out today to find these (plant marker top for scale) spread pretty much throughout, just on the surface. All searches just talk about added slow release ferts-these are far too small.
    So just done a bit of planting out with no compost, just bf+b, till I find out if this is friend or foe? 1464B961-739E-4265-BA1B-1F96791E8501.jpeg 5E4655A0-09DB-468B-AE88-D84FE77A186B.jpeg
     
  2. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2005
    Messages:
    3,670
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    West Midlands
    Ratings:
    +3,089
    Mollusc eggs I would guess.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • flounder

      flounder Super Gardener

      Joined:
      Apr 26, 2020
      Messages:
      965
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      RETIRED!!
      Location:
      Brighton
      Ratings:
      +1,935
      Squeeze them, if they're hard and crunchy, slow release pellets. If soft and squidgy, foe
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • mazambo

        mazambo Forever Learning

        Joined:
        Sep 11, 2018
        Messages:
        1,553
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Stoke-on-Trent
        Ratings:
        +3,804
        Think I'd go with @Palustris the eggs I've found in compost bags of mine from slugs are in clumps, slow release fertilizer is normally just the odd one, unless you've got your hand in there without looking and given it a mix.:heehee:
         
      • daisybelle

        daisybelle Gardener

        Joined:
        Nov 9, 2006
        Messages:
        326
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Science tech
        Ratings:
        +48
        So, would you use it? I have slugs already…
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        51,029
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +93,705
        I've never come across slow release fertiliser in bags of compost.
        I'd be inclined to not use it and buy some more.
        You can use that as a soil improver outside on the garden.
         
        • Creative Creative x 1
        • daisybelle

          daisybelle Gardener

          Joined:
          Nov 9, 2006
          Messages:
          326
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          Science tech
          Ratings:
          +48
          Thanks :biggrin: So you mean you wouldn’t use it for pots etc, but just in garden beds generally?
           
        • Palustris

          Palustris Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Oct 23, 2005
          Messages:
          3,670
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          West Midlands
          Ratings:
          +3,089
          Looks pretty manky stuff in any case. Use it as Pete suggests.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Agree Agree x 1
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

            Joined:
            Jan 9, 2005
            Messages:
            51,029
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Kent
            Ratings:
            +93,705
            I wouldn't chance it for potting.
             
            • Agree Agree x 2
            • Like Like x 1
            • gks

              gks Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Feb 28, 2021
              Messages:
              1,727
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Production Manager
              Location:
              Cumbria
              Ratings:
              +4,997
              Depends on what compost you purchase. Most brands that manufacturer compost tend to do a "container and basket" compost for the retail sector. This does have slow release fertiliser, 6 month formula, added to the mix. As the packaging suggests, it is a compost made mainly for tubs and baskets, so adding a slow release fertilisers is actually quite the norm. It certainly wouldn't be added in a multipurpose or general compost which is recommended for seeds and general potting.

              The above picture is not slow release prill's.
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                Joined:
                Jan 9, 2005
                Messages:
                51,029
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired
                Location:
                Mid Kent
                Ratings:
                +93,705
                I've bought specific compost for tubs and baskets so never seen it.
                 
                • Useful Useful x 1
                • mazambo

                  mazambo Forever Learning

                  Joined:
                  Sep 11, 2018
                  Messages:
                  1,553
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Stoke-on-Trent
                  Ratings:
                  +3,804
                  You don't get much, you have to furkle around a bit to spot it. I get it in this. Must admit though if I find any slug eggs in my compost I take out a couple of handfuls chuck it in a tray and let the birds pick through it and then chuck it on beds.
                  20220528_155229.jpg
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • gks

                    gks Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Feb 28, 2021
                    Messages:
                    1,727
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Production Manager
                    Location:
                    Cumbria
                    Ratings:
                    +4,997
                    The shorter the longevity of the slow release, the less slow release fertiliser is required.

                    So using 3-4month Osmocote slow release for Nursery stock plants, the recommendation is 2-3 gram's per litre of growing media. When using 12-14month, the recommendation is 4-5 gram's per litre of growing media. When using 16-18month it is then 6-8 gram's per litre. These are only recommendations and are based on unfertile growing media. If the growing media is fertile or has had a base fertiliser added, the dosage of slow release fertiliser will have to be reduced.
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • daisybelle

                      daisybelle Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Nov 9, 2006
                      Messages:
                      326
                      Gender:
                      Female
                      Occupation:
                      Science tech
                      Ratings:
                      +48
                      Just coming back to report, it was a fungus of some sort, starting budding off a little bit, so I’ve kept using it
                       
                    Loading...

                    Share This Page

                    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                      Dismiss Notice