Hoodia Gordonii is a much prized plant, originating in the Kalahari Desert because of it appetite suppressing properties. Of course, cultivating Hoodia requires permission from the South African government, as this plant is protected by international trade laws. If you get through all the procedure needed to start propagating the plant, here some tips in how to germinate the Hoodia Gordonii seed for propagation.
The most important aspect to look into, would be the freshness of the Hoodia seed. If a seed is more than a few months old, it starts to lose its strength.  A seed which is correct for growing the plant is one in which the seed horn is semi-dry and which is split right in the middle.
Once you have the seed ready, the next step is the preparing the medium which you will use for propagation. The best mix would be two parts of river sand, one part loamy soil and one part well sieved compost. Ensure that the medium is sterilized in order to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. This procedure will also remove any pests that may be present in the medium.
In order to start germination, you need to use pots which are 10 cm in depth. Place stones at the base of the pot. Put the medium prepared into the pot, just below the level of soil line. Place the Hoodia Gordonii seed on to the medium and then cover the seed with 1-2mm layer of coarse sand. The medium must be wetted and fungicide used to prevent fungal infections. Cover the pot with a piece of glass or plastic wrap.
Once the seed has been properly placed in the pot, the pot must be kept in a warm place, but not one which faces direct sunlight. Within a few days the seeds will be germinating , after which you can remove the plastic or glass wrap. Within a few weeks the seedlings should be ready for transplantation.
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