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| The weightloss spotlight on Hoodia gordonii and other Hoodia
species created challenges like cultivating Hoodia and saving Hoodia from exploitation in the wild habitat. |
| Cultivating Hoodia The best point to start
getting information on how to grow Hoodia species is knowing the habitat of these
plants. The habitat of Hoodia is the Karoo, which is in the central part of
South Africa, South Western and Northern Cape and the Namib, which is in Namibia
going into Angola. |
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| Hoodia was planted in soil taken from the Karoo, Namaqualand and Namibia,
as well as a loose mix consisting of garden soil with humus (potplant soil) from
nurseries. This was done to find out how much the soil influence the growth of
Hoodi plants. Growth in all soil types were good. Drainage was no problem as the
water given has to so little that the drainage does not count. |
| The difficult part in cultivating Hoodia is how much water
should be given. The sure way to kill Hoodia is by watering it just the slightest
drop too much. Climate differ but a guide is to water only once every 3rd month
through-out the year. In climates with moist air, only every 4th month. As is
with all plants, do not water in very hot weather. That is above 35 degrees Celsius. Wait
until the days have cooled for a day or two and water in late evening or early
morning in the summer if it is hot. Do not water at all where the winter
is freezing cold. This plant can withstand light frost in winter rainfall areas
where the temperature is below freezing for only a few hours, but it must be kept dry in a
very cold winter climate. Hoodia species grow down into the winter rainfall
Namaqualand and like other desert plants, Hoodia will absorb water when available no
matter the season. |
| Hoodia can be grown without direct sun, but it needs bright
light. . It is sufficient protection to grow Hoodia under a roof with open
sides, to keep it out of rain as these plants can withstand short periods of light
frost. Make sure that the roof is wide enough so that the rain can not be
blown onto the plants by wind. |
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