Welcome to SoCal Hoodia

We grow organic Hoodia Gordonii from South Africa.  These plants were established in America before they became an endangered species.  It’s now illegal to export Hoodia Gordonii plants from South Africa.   We teach classes on growing Hoodia in the local area.  Hoodia can only grow well in a Zone 11 climate.  Windy areas with sandy soil have the best growing conditions. We sell seeds and back yard growing boxes.  Videos will be coming soon so check us out on You-tube.  We are also in the process of publishing a Hoodia cookbook.  Hoodia is the fun way to diet and lose weight safely.

 

I have personally tested it on my family and friends.  Hoodia gives you the comfort of food satisfaction without the high calories.   I have noticed that it affects your desire for sugar and fats.  It helps break the cycle of addictive eating.  It will not stop you from eating but it will take away the pleasure of eating.   African Bushmen eat 8 ounces of raw Hoodia a day when their food source is scarce.  

Growing Hoodia

Consider Hoodia’s natural desert environment. In the desert the sun will heat up the surface stones and sand sometimes to well over 122 degrees. There can then be short intense thunderstorms which will create a short period of very warm and very humid weather. Hoodia has a very short germination period, usually within 3 days. The seeds will germinate and grow roots quickly to draw in the moisture held under the surface. The desert air in their native environment is always blowing, so the humidity will be gone within a couple days.

 

While zone 11 lowest temperatures average around 50 degrees, Hoodia can take a few nights with temperatures in the 30’s, if they are protected from dew setting on the crowns of the stems. Shade cloth will provide enough protection from the dew.   I also shield my plants with plastic during winter rains.

 

The light needs of Hoodia range from medium to high. These plants often grow in bushes, where the bush gives some shade, but some clumps are solitary and in full sun the whole day.

 

Propagation is done mainly from seed. Cuttings are not really an option, as the severed ends very rarely form a callus from where roots will eventually form. Seeds are produced from June thru October each year.  Seeds can be collected when the seed horns start to split down the middle and begin to open.

 

Hoodia is part of the milkweed family.  The seeds are light brown in color, flat and have a tuff of fluffy hair attached to their one end.  When the seed pod splits open, the seeds float away on little parachutes. Life for a young Hoodia plant begins under the protection of a nurse plant. A nurse plant is a shrub, a clump of tall grass under which the young plant germinates and grows, protected from the sun by its leaves and branches.

 

Place seed on top of a well watered sowing medium.   Sprinkle soil on top of the seeds. The seeds should not be planted deeper than 1/8^th of an inch. Do not crowd too many seeds into a seed pan; this can lead to damping off when they start germinating.  

 

I recommend giving the seeds tray some bottom heat.   I use the top of the fridge or freezer for the first 3 days; this has worked very well for me. After germination, water the seedlings with lukewarm water.

 

Adequate air circulation is essential.  I have placed a small fan next to seedlings and the growth rate just about doubled. Seedlings are more sensitive to light than mature plants.  The growing area needs diffused light.   If they are a reddish or brown color, they are receiving too much light, and additional pieces of shade cloth must be placed over the top of the growing area to shade them. They should have a dark green color, if they are yellowish, they’re not getting enough light.  

 

During the winter months move plants to a sunny location.  If plants are around 3 inches in height, water lightly once a week.  Smaller plants need closer observation and more frequent watering.  Adult plants need little watering and are dormant in the winter.  These plants respond well to organic foodstuffs. In three years plants can attain a height over 10 inches and have up to 10 branches. In the summer months when temperatures are above 80 degrees plants maybe water often as long as they are allowed to dry out between watering. 

Hoodia has become quite popular and unfortunately it is estimated that 80% of the bottled product is fake.  It’s important to So Cal Hoodia that you have success in growing Hoodia.  Please contact us with any questions and concerns.

As with any supplemental product consult your physician before using.

 

Best Regards

Cheryl Westfall

25725 La Estrella Road

Wildomar, CA 92595

Check out to see what is happening with Hoodia at this time in the market place.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=4178136

http://www.tradeavail.com/       “watch video on different medicinal herbs”