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Eggs in compost?

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

  1. daisybelle

    daisybelle Gardener

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    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

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    Mollusc eggs I would guess.
     
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    • flounder

      flounder Super Gardener

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      Squeeze them, if they're hard and crunchy, slow release pellets. If soft and squidgy, foe
       
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      • mazambo

        mazambo Forever Learning

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        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

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        So, would you use it? I have slugs already…
         
      • pete

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

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        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.
         
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        • daisybelle

          daisybelle Gardener

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          Thanks :biggrin: So you mean you wouldn’t use it for pots etc, but just in garden beds generally?
           
        • Palustris

          Palustris Total Gardener

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          Looks pretty manky stuff in any case. Use it as Pete suggests.
           
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          • pete

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

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            I wouldn't chance it for potting.
             
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            • gks

              gks Total Gardener

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              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.
               
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              • pete

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

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                I've bought specific compost for tubs and baskets so never seen it.
                 
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                • mazambo

                  mazambo Forever Learning

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                  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
                   
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                  • gks

                    gks Total Gardener

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                    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.
                     
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                    • daisybelle

                      daisybelle Gardener

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                      Just coming back to report, it was a fungus of some sort, starting budding off a little bit, so I’ve kept using it
                       
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