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Hoodia gordonii in profile

Asclepiadaceae
B and T World Seeds' reference: 19687

Hoodia gordonii, Asclepiadaceae.

Common Names:
Hoodia, Queen of the Namib, African Hats, Milkweed.

Flower:
Pink to maroon corona, 8-10cm diameter - smelly !

Fruit:

Foliage:
Pale green to purple, branching stems with short woody tubercles that are sometimes pointed. Stems 5cm diameter, spiny.

Height:
to 45 cm


Form:
Perennial. Clumping. Hoodia are not cacti, they are succulent plants from the Asclepiadaceae "Milkweed" Family.

Uses:
Medicinal: appetite suppressant and thirst quencher.

Minimum Temperature:
USDA zone: 11 (to 10° Centigrade)
Frost Tolerance: to 28°F ( -2°C).

Cultivation:

Hoodia gordonii is said to be the easiest Hoodia to cultivate !

Full sun to light shade.

Hoodias have a reputation for being rather difficult. Apart from H. alstonii all species easily root from cuttings. Light requirements during growing season - medium (only morning or afternoon sun) to high (full sun during whole day). Minimum winter temperatures 15 degree/day, 10 degree/night. 

Watering: 

Winter - keep completely dry 
Spring/autumn - give little water and allow soil to dry out after watering 
Summer - normal watering (allow soil to dry out after watering) 

Tolerance to cultivation - medium - generally reasonably tolerant. 

Although the bushmen say they use ALL species of Hoodia for appetite control, the most often mentioned species is Hoodia gordonii.

Seeds germinate best around: 15-26°C. (60 to 80°F).

Growing medium: 3 parts volcanic tufa, 1 part leaf-mold or peat; 2 parts coarse river sand.

Seed count roughly 250 seeds in 1 Gram.

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