Hoodia gordonii

Hoodia gordonii

Family: Apocynaceae

Common names: Ghaap.

It is a spiny succulent that can reach a height of up to 1m. The thick juicy stems are covered in spines. The flowers are big round and vary from straw colored to light maroon and they smell of carrion. The flowers appear in spring. It is one of the most sought after succulents due to its medicinal properties and has been called one of the wonder plants of the twenty first century. It is mainly used as an appetite suppression.

Sowing instructions: Use sandy loam with a small amount of very well-rotted, sieved compost. The seeds should not be planted deeper than 0.5 cm. Do not crowd too many seeds into a seed pan, this can lead to damping off when they start germinating. The sowing medium must be well drained. Do not over-water, too much water at a time when the seeds are germinating will ROT them. Only water four times a week under warm conditions, 28°C or above. During the winter months only water once every two weeks. Move to a sunny location.

Locality: Prieska.  Harvest: October 2023