In addition to the various compounds found in soil, you might see observable white balls. These white balls are frequently mistaken for chunks of white Styrofoam.
Most likely employed as a soil amendment for increased drainage and aeration, the white balls observed in soil are perlite balls. But occasionally, those balls might actually be bug, slug, or other animal eggs. Perlite balls do not degrade over time, whereas eggs take one to four weeks to hatch.
These white balls could possibly be a colony of white fungi that have gathered together.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about perlite, white fungal balls, and white eggs in this article. Where do white eggs and fungus balls come from, and how can you get rid of them?
Table of Contents
Perlite as white soil amendment balls.
Growing media’s aeration, structure, and drainage can be greatly enhanced by perlite, a naturally occurring volcanic glass.
Perlite is a non-organic, lightweight additive that has a white appearance and is occasionally mistaken for Styrofoam. Gray is the most frequent color of perlite, however, it can also be found in brown, blue, and green before it expands.
When heated, it turns white in hue. It was created when obsidian was hydrated.
Perlite swells 4 to 20 times its original size when heated to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, which is an interesting phenomenon.
There are numerous uses for perlite across the world. It is created when molten rock erupts from a volcano and then cools in a special way.
On earth, there are about 700 million tons of perlite. Greece, Italy, the United States of America, and China all have perlite reservoirs.
The USA alone produced 375,000 tons of perlite in 2001.
Due to its qualities, it is also commonly utilized in horticulture.
Properties of Perlite:
- Granular, lightweight substance
- Simple to use and sterile
- permanent rock
- neither alkaline nor acidic
- When heated, become permeable
- small density
Amazon has a perlite and vermiculite blend that is affordable for all of your potting needs. To access it, click this link.
How Does Perlite (white balls) Benefit The Soil?
The soil benefits from perlite in numerous ways. The USA alone was using roughly 14% of perlite in horticulture due of its many advantages. Following are some of the main advantages of perlite for soil:
Improve Drainage:
Succulents and other plants require a strong drainage system to thrive. Perlite aids in preserving a sound drainage system. Perlite aids in air-trapping from the soil and enhances drainage by maintaining a balance of soil moisture.
Upgrade Soil Structure:
It functions as a soil amendment, although not to correct nutrient deficiencies, rather to improve soil structure. The enlarged perlite is useful for capturing nutrients and moisture.
Aid in Plant Propagation:
Plant propagation, including the planting of seeds and cuttings, benefits from the use of perlite.
Great For Root Cutting:
It is suitable for root cutting due to its pH neutrality and sterility. Additionally, it aids in bettering root formation.
Sowing Seeds:
It plays a significant role in enhancing seedling growth and accelerating the germination process. For effective seed planting, mix 1 part perlite with 2 parts instant potting compost.
Suitable Addition For Better Growth:
improves the drainage and aeration system to support plant growth and development.
Optimum Moisture:
Perlite works well at preserving your plant’s ideal temperature and deters bugs that love wetness.
Studies indicate that the perlite hydroponic system is what allows for such high yields.
Improve Aeration:
Perlite significantly enhances the drainage of the growing medium due to its porous surface, which aids in holding water and nutrients (but water drains quickly as well).
Additionally, perlite is very beneficial in preventing root rot. It stops soil from becoming waterlogged, which stops root rot. hence demonstrating its extraordinary effectiveness in stopping root rot infections.
No Effect on pH:
The pH of the soil is not changed by perlite. It has a pH of zero. even if it is a buffer with a low pH.
For more information, visit our in-depth page on Perlite Vs. Vermiculite.
White Fungus Balls:
White spheres found in the soil are not usually made of perlite. These white balls occasionally may be white fungus.
Fungal colonies are described as white fungus balls. They could appear in a variety of shapes and sizes, most frequently puffballs.
Unintentionally using uncomposted lawn trimming as mulch may result in the appearance of countless white balls on the ground.
Although white fungus balls are not harmful to your plants, you should move quickly to get rid of them as soon as you can.
Additionally, occasionally you could discover green or yellow balls in the soil that aren’t usually connected to insects.
Where Did The Fungus Come From?
Puffballs and other white fungal balls are produced during the breakdown of organic materials. They can grow quickly in damp situations and are also quite enticing to them.
Keep in mind that the white fungus will settle anywhere there is moisture and organic materials. They came from Canada, the Midwest, and the East of the USA.
How To Get Rid of White Fungus?
It’s simple to get rid of fungus.
When they run out of food or after a certain amount of time, the majority of fungus automatically perish.
Dried soil:
Fungi eventually disappear when there is insufficient moisture in the soil as a result of an adverse environment.
Drying soil will have an impact on your plant, so use caution.
Get rid of organic matter:
If there isn’t enough organic stuff, the fungi won’t have anything to eat. Therefore, fungi will eventually perish.
Bottom watering:
Allowing the growing medium, especially the topsoil, to completely dry out between waterings is one of the best ways to prevent fungus around your indoor plants.
Fungus survival will be reduced by the topsoil’s dryness. Fungus development can be considerably slowed down by bottom watering.
Plants only absorb the necessary amount of water during bottom watering through capillary motions. Unlike top watering, in which gardeners soak the topsoil,
You may view our thorough bottom-watering plant guide.
Fungicide:
Fungicide treatment makes it easier to get rid of harmful fungi.
White fungus can be removed from the soil and your plants with simple natural methods.
You can try the following home treatments to treat white fungus balls down below:
Murphy’s Oil Solution
In a gallon of water, combine two tablespoons of Murphy’s oil and four tablespoons of baking soda. Spray it on the soil and plants after preparation.
My plants stay healthy even after repotting thanks to the Miracle-Gro Potting Mix I get from Amazon. Clicking here will take you there.
Baking Soda and Dish Soap
In a gallon of water, combine a teaspoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of dish soap, and a teaspoon of vegetable oil.
Vinegar Solution
One gallon of water should be mixed with two to three spoons of vinegar. Since vinegar could burn your plant, we advise using this procedure as a last resort.
White Eggs
If your soil is moist, well-moisturized, and aerated, many insects can deposit their eggs there.
The eggs of many insects are laid in garden soil, which can also resemble golden balls. The size of the eggs may vary from one organism to another, as well.
The Possible Culprits:
Among the potential offenders that lay their eggs in dirt are:
Lizards:
Many lizards enjoy laying their eggs in the ground.
Snakes:
Snakes frequently travel from one location to another. This organism may deposit eggs if it locates a secure, moist environment.
Ants and flies:
Their eggs resemble clusters of grains of rice. When compared to other insect eggs, their eggs hatched sooner.
Slug and Snail eggs:
Eggs covered in gelatin may be those of snails and slugs if you encounter them. In terms of size, they have an oval shape and are over half a centimeter in diameter.
Plants are seriously harmed by them. due to the fact that they can consume the entire plant, including the roots, stem, flowers, and leaves.
Mollusks, ladybugs, fungi (such as slime mold), and many other organisms also enjoy laying their eggs in dirt.
How To Get Rid of White Eggs?
- Simply squishing these eggs will get rid of them.
- Restaurants frequently buy specific types of eggs, such as slug and snail eggs. Slug and snail eggs can be disposed of by being sold. Make sure the soil is completely dry before watering the plant. As a result, the eggs’ exterior layer will dry out.
- Apply hydrogen peroxide to eggs and soil by combining 3% of this chemical with 4 parts water.
How to Prevent Insects from Laying Eggs in Potting Soil:
It is possible to stop insects from depositing eggs in potting soil in a variety of methods. For illustration:
- Make sure the dirt is thoroughly dry before adding the potting soil to the pot.
- A garlic clove can be used to deter insects from plants (organic hack).
- Repot the sick plant if you think there may be an insect on it.
- Use insecticides if you want to get rid of the insects that lay eggs in your potting soil.
FAQ
What are these white balls in my soil?
The white spheres in your houseplant’s potting soil are perlite, a volcanic glass that occurs naturally. Because it prevents the soil from compacting, perlite is often added to potting soil by manufacturers of soil. Additionally, it promotes drainage to stop the growth of fungus.
What insect lays white eggs?
Whiteflies: From the base of a plant to its top, adult whiteflies lay their little white eggs on the undersides of the leaves in concentric patterns. These insects have an egg production capacity of 200–400.
How do I get rid of white fungus in my garden soil?
Fungus in the soil will be killed by boiling water. You might take the soil you intend to utilize and then cover it with boiling water.
How do you treat white fungus in soil?
Vinegar is a tried-and-true approach for getting rid of mold and bothersome white patches on your plants. Spray the affected leaves and stems with a solution made of a quart of water and two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Repeat several times daily until all mold is eliminated.
How do you get rid of white eggs in soil?
Hydrogen peroxide: Due to its ability to control fungus gnats eggs in the soil, many people carry this in their first-aid kit for plants. Utilizing hydrogen peroxide involves mixing 3 percent H2O2 with 4 parts water. The plant will then be assaulted by eggs as you rinse it.