Hoodia GORDONII

Hoodia GORDONII - Gordon's Hoodia, Bushman's Hat.

Hoodia is a genus of succulent plants in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). In the wild, representatives of the genus occur in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa, as well as in Namibia.

The plants have a thick fleshy stem with spines instead of leaves. Over several years, numerous shoots form from the main stem, forming a dense, tall bush reaching up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in height. There are species with small and large flowers that form at or near the tips of the shoots.

Gordon's hoodia has a characteristic appearance with thick, fleshy stems resembling a cactus. It can reach a height of up to 1 m (3.3 ft) and has small spiny leaves. It forms large star-shaped flowers, usually pale purple or white in color. A rare variety of leafless succulent discovered by Colonel Robert Gordon in the Orange River area, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

Hoodia seeds are flat, light brown, equipped with a silky tuft and enclosed in elongated paired follicles that open upon ripening. Before sowing, the flying tuft is removed, and seeds are cleaned of dry impurities if necessary. Brief soaking in hot water at 50-60 °C (122-140 °F) for several minutes is permissible, followed by treatment in a 1% potassium permanganate solution for 1-2 hours. After this, a growth stimulant may additionally be used: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon. Scarification and cold stratification are not required.

Sowing is carried out in spring or early summer, when the difference between day and night temperatures is about 10-12 °C (50-54 °F), and with bottom heat and grow lights year-round sowing is possible. A sterile mineral substrate made of washed sand, perlite, fine gravel, and a small amount of sifted peat is used. Seeds are laid out almost on the surface and covered with a layer of 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 in), after which the sowing is moistened from a spray bottle. The container is placed in a greenhouse, maintaining a temperature of 24-30 °C (75-86 °F) during the day with a slight drop at night, bright indirect light, and daily ventilation. Waterlogging is unacceptable, as seedlings are sensitive to fungal infections.

The first seedlings usually appear in 7-14 days, the average germination time is 2-3 weeks, and the maximum possible time under cooler sowing reaches 4 weeks. After germination, the cover is gradually opened, humidity is reduced, and seedlings are kept in bright indirect light without direct midday sun. Pricking out is carried out after noticeable strengthening of the stems and the formation of an established root system, usually after 2-3 months, with young plants repotted with a root ball and not buried deeper than their previous level.

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For hoodias, very bright lighting with several hours of direct sun in the morning or evening is used. South, southeast, and southwest windows are suitable, and after winter the plant is gradually acclimated to direct sun to prevent burns on the stems. With insufficient light, shoots stretch out, become softer, colour poorly, and are more easily affected by rot.

During the active season, a temperature of 24-32 °C (75-90 °F) is maintained; with dry air and good ventilation, the plant tolerates higher values. Overwintering is carried out in the brightest possible spot at 10-15 °C (50-59 °F) and kept almost dry. The minimum for a container plant is preferably kept no lower than 8-10 °C (46-50 °F), as cold dampness quickly damages the roots and stem bases.

Watering is carried out rarely, only after complete drying out of the substrate. In summer, the plant is watered moderately, usually once every 10-20 days depending on temperature, pot size, and soil composition. In winter with cool keeping, watering is almost discontinued or carried out minimally once every 4-6 weeks. Soft, warm water is used without stagnation in the saucer, and moisture entering the base of the dense clump is undesirable.

For planting, a very loose mineral substrate is used, dominated by coarse sand, pumice, lava grit, fine gravel, perlite, and a small amount of lean leaf mold. High drainage is necessarily placed at the bottom, and pots are chosen shallow or medium in depth, stable, with wide holes for water drainage. Repotting is carried out in spring, usually once every 2-3 years, with mandatory dry keeping of the plant for several days after repotting.

Fertilizer is applied only during the period of active growth once every 4-6 weeks with a weak solution of fertilizer for cacti and succulents with reduced nitrogen content. Pruning is usually not performed; only dried or damaged shoots are removed. Taking cuttings is possible, but cut surfaces must dry for several days until a dense callus forms, and rooting is carried out only in dry mineral material with very careful moisturizing.