You are about to repot your plants and you discover small yellowish-green balls in the freshly bought potting soil. What is that? They look like snail eggs. Find out here what these balls in the earth are all about.
What are the green eggs in potting soil?
If you discover green balls in your potting soil, these are not snail eggs as you might think at first glance. They are also not fungus gnat eggs. Rather, it isDepot fertilizer, which contains important nutrients for the plants.
What is slow-release fertilizer that acts like green eggs in the potting soil?
Strictly speaking, the small beads arenutrient s alts coated with synthetic resinThe synthetic resin is used to prevent the nutrients from immediately dissolving in water. The shell has numerous small pores through which water vapor penetrates. This gradually dissolves the fertilizer and releases it to the plant. The uniform supply of fertilizer ensures that the plant is supplied for months. The fertilizer release also depends on the ambient temperature. The warmer it is, the more nutrients are released, congruent with plant growth.
When do I need potting soil with slow-release fertilizer?
Whenrepotting your plants in fresh soil, you always need fertilizer. If this is not already included in the potting soil, you will need to add it separately so that the plant is supplied with sufficient nutrients and can thrive. A slow-release fertilizer helps to supply the plant with essential nutrients for months. Choose the right soil for your plant's needs. It also plays a role whether your plant only grows seasonally (e.g. vegetable plants) or perennially.
Are slow-release fertilizers always small green balls in potting soil?
Depot fertilizer is availablealso in other colors: red, whitish-yellow or blue balls or granules. The respective color indicates how long the slow-release fertilizer releases nutrients. This is particularly crucial for gardeners. The nutrient release varies from a few months for seasonal plants to a year for potted plants.
Tip
How to distinguish slow-release fertilizer from snail eggs
If you are still unsure whether they are snail eggs, simply take a ball in your hand and crush it with your fingers. If you hear a slight crack (breaking of the synthetic resin casing) and if the contents feel dry, it is the slow-release fertilizer. If the ball feels wet, sticky and slimy, it's probably the eggs.
