September 6th, 2009 
Dustin 
Tags: Hoodia Gordonii is an increasingly popular type of appetite suppressant and has received huge levels of media coverage of late. Hoodia plants, Hoodia products and even Hoodia seeds are being sold on e-bay and all over the internet as the next best thing to a miracle cure to obesity. Any person with some common sense will know that there is definitely more to the story than it being all that great
Hoodia isn’t actually a single type of plant; rather it is a group of succulent plants that grows throughout southern Africa. Hoodia Gordonii is just one species in that group. All together, there are at least fifty different species of Hoodia in existence. If you are buying Hoodia seeds because you want an interesting plant to add to your collection, then go ahead. If you are an experienced horticulturist then you may have success. They are difficult to grow as they need the harsh environments of the dessert to strive. You should note that of all the types of Hoodia plant, the only one with appetite suppressant properties is Hoodia Gordonii.
Collecting Hoodia cactus seeds from wild Hoodia plants in Africa is illegal as is in most other countries that cultivate the crop. Botswana, South Africa and Namibia requested that all species be protected by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. These countries were concerned that the popularity of Hoodia Gordonii as an appetite suppressant could threaten the Hoodia population. This is because Hoodia is extremely slow growing and as it is, quite rare. Growing Hoodia, trading Hoodia and selling Hoodia seeds or plants requires special permits. But, if you really want to try to grow your own plant, consider these facts before continuing.
It is necessary to grow Hoodia Gordonii from seeds, cuttings almost never take root. The process is painfully long and almost isn’t worth the effort. Hoodia cactus seeds must be germinated in a seed tray and it takes about a year before they can be transferred to a small pot. In three or four years your Hoodia seeds will bloom. When it blooms there are more problems, the blooms smell like rotten meat. Francis Masson, a botanist who sailed to southern Africa with James Cook called them “carrion flowers”, because of this smell. The smell alone is probably enough to suppress anyone’s appetite. Probably the reason for this smell is that Hoodia is one of the few plants in the world that is pollinated by flies. The sweet smell of most flowers attracts bees, the rotting meat smell would (one would assume) attract flies.
In a couple of months, your plant will form seed pods that resemble miniature antelope horns which earned it the Afrikaans name of bokhorrings. So, if you have a good greenhouse (Hoodia Gordonii plants thrive at very high temperatures), and you buy some Hoodia cactus seeds now, then in about four years, you can sell Hoodia seeds on e-bay. But really, I would think that its more hassle than it’s worth.
