this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
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Gardening

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New to plants and moved some to my office. I just noticed these things that look like bug eggs. What are they? Should I remove them?.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

The balls are slow release fertilizer, extremely common in potting soil. The white irregular bits are perlite. Everything looks good.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Perlite or similar soil additive. No need to remove them or worry.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I have always thought that perlite was white and kinda styrofoamesque, but I felt better knowing they aren't bugs. My office is in a very very old trailer that already had biscuit beetles eating the walls. I didn't want to add to our ongoing issues.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

You're right about perlite. I've seen the yellowish spheres in other potting soil, though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It could be Vermiculite
Just pick some up and try to cut them with a knife - insect eggs won’t harm your knife