I've struck Gold!!😂

[Quirkus]

So there I was cleaning up the newly acquired Vitex Negundo's deadwood:

(First image: before clean. Second image: after clean)

And as I was turning the pot whilst carrying out the task, something kept catching my eye in the substrate. Every now and then, the odd glint and shimmer... And I kid you not, I think it might be gold!

I'm not sure where this ebay seller is getting their substrate from, but I'd very much like to know! ... Makes me question if they just scooped it from a river?

Obviously this means I have to sift for every shiny spec and have it tested to satisfy my curiosity!

So there we go, I'm now rich! Yeehaw!!! I can give up this life of grime and build me a palace!

Obviously this has earned this tree the nickname of "Goldie".

I do have to ask: Is this a common occurence? Has anyone else struck it rich on the substrate lottery, or is this a one off?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Yes. Vermiculite breaks down in gold like flakes and is annoying to get rid of. It's like hobby glitter for your soil. In 40 years you will still find it.

 

[Quirkus]

Yes. Vermiculite breaks down in gold like flakes and is annoying to get rid of. It's like hobby glitter for your soil. In 40 years you will still find it.

You're just trying to talk mi outa ma nuggets! The gold is mine I tells ya! All mine!

 

[Jetson1950]

You're just trying to talk mi outa ma nuggets! The gold is mine I tells ya! All mine!

You never know. Could be. Here is a big chunk of the real deal. 8” chunk of rock Prince Niaf gave me when I lived in Tiaf, Saudi Arabia training them to fly F-15s. It’s full of gold. It came out of one of the Saudi gold mines. You can actually find gold on the surface in the foothills close to where I lived there, but you don’t go picking it up. They tend to frown on that. One of the Brit contractors ended up in prison for collecting about 10 pounds of gold and trying to leave the country with it.

 

[Quirkus]

You never know. Could be. Here is a big chunk of the real deal. 8” chunk of rock Prince Niaf gave me when I lived in Tiaf, Saudi Arabia training them to fly F-15s. It’s full of gold. It came out of one of the Saudi gold mines. You can actually find gold on the surface in the foothills close to where I lived there, but you don’t go picking it up. They tend to frown on that. One of the Brit contractors ended up in prison for collecting about 10 pounds of gold and trying to leave the country with it.

View attachment 627560

That's very cool and impressive!

And agreed, it possibly could be gold flakes in the substrate. I can't see any vermiculite in the mix, and the mix is very fine grit, if it was sourced froma river bed or stream, then maybe. It'd definitely be funny if it was... For now I'm assuming vermiculite flakes... I wouldn't want to start a gold rush on ebay now would I?... ...or would I?

 

[KateM]

See if they are malleable or break on impact.

 

[liltrees]

I have a bag of 100% pure unrefined vermi...I mean gold for anyone who wants to start a bidding war

 

[Quirkus]

See if they are malleable or break on impact.

I tested the larger flek in the images above... It did bend, and then broke.

They are very shiny though! So that counts for 80% proof in my book!

 

[rockm]

Most likely mica or pyrite. Definitely Not gold.

From AI info in vermiculite:

Key details regarding vermiculite gold flakes include:

• Appearance and Use: In potting soil, these shiny, gold-colored,, accordion-like flakes are actually hydrated phlogopite-biotite mica. They are often added to potting mixes for superior water retention, preventing the soil from drying out too quickly

 

[Quirkus]

Most likely mica or pyrite. Definitely Not gold.

I ain't fallin fer it! I's been mining in these here pots fer years, and I knows when it's some good ole pay dirt!... I done seen other tricksters tryna talk mi outa my claim and they ain't talkin much no more!

Hot diggidy hot jiggidy jiggidy! It's gold I tells ya!

 

[Baron von Smoogle]

It is technically possible.

 

[Quirkus]

It is technically possible.

Hotdiggiddy there be gold in my Bonzippidy!

See I tolds ya!

They all's said I was mad and gone round the twist. "Ain't no gold in them pots and that substrate old timer" that's what they said "all that gold done gone dried up years ago". But see I could smell it, I could feel it in ma bones, the gold was calling to me, whisperin ma name!

GOOOOOOLD! GOOOOLD IN THEM THERE SUBSTRATES!!!

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Okay, brothers and sisters in bonsai, it's time for an intervention. He's done caught hisself that there Gold Fever!
@KateM, get some ice water. @Baron von Smoogle, get some rope. @Wulfskaar, I'm gonna need a crucifix. @rockm, can you bring the sacred text?
This is going to take all of us!