Possible pest...

Caitlin G · February 2015

I just got a small terrarium for my bedroom and when I put the soil in the pot I noticed a small, (a tad smaller than a BB), clear ball in the soil. At first I thought it was just a bead of water but when I prodded it with a cotton bud it moved back into the soil, so it was clearly solid, but now I can't find it.

I don't know if it's an egg for sure but it was just one ball on its own and there aren't any others in the bag and there weren't any in the soil when I re-potted my cactus and succulent.

Do I need to change the soil in my terrarium?

Dovefromabove · February 2015

It's probably a granule of water retentive gel https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=692 used in plant compost to help prevent it drying out - no need to worry

It wouldn't be used in soil for cacti and succulents as they prefer free-draining soil conditions.

Caitlin G · February 2015

Thank you for your reply!

I hope you're right, I'd hate for a slug to ruin my little plants

Dovefromabove · February 2015

Slug eggs are usually laid on the surface of the soil or another surface and in clusters. I still think a water retention granule is the most likely answer.

Alan4711 · February 2015

I remember asking what the little round things in my soil were some time ago and felt a real prary hat when it was pointed out they were slow release feeds,i,d never seen them before now i use them often I'm not always an idiot just now and again or so Kate says,

Bookertoo · February 2015

You are most certainly not an idiot - if you were, you would not have asked! We all started out knowing little or nothing, and learned from friends, misadventures and here - that is what we wrinkled old fogeys are for - and we learn lots from the fresh faced young ones as well ! No such thing as a silly question, only the one not asked that causes your lovely things to die - that IS silly!!

Possible pest...

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