Can You Grow Your Own Hoodia?

Do you like to do things on your own? I do. I try to save money whenever possible. I would probably never hire a painter or a landscaper. I bake birthday cakes rather than buying them at the store.

Some would say I am cheap, but actually, I rather enjoy the reward of doing things myself. So, when I heard that I could grow my own hoodia and not pay $60 a bottle for the supplements, I thought, hey! I could stand to lose a few pounds and would it not be great to do it for less?

Big mistake. I knew that hoodia was a succulent grown in South Africa. I knew that it helps suppress your appetite because of the compound in it called p57 which mimics blood glucose and makes the brain think you do not need to eat. I realized I would not be able to turn my hoodia plants into pills, but I figured I would just chew on the stems like the natives in Africa. Or perhaps figure out how to make a lovely tea to sip and control my appetite.

So, I ordered my hoodia seeds and special Kalahari sand. The sand cost more than the seeds and I knew why soon after I planted them. In just a few short weeks, my plants were getting bigger and looked nothing like a hoodia plant or anything like a succulent for that matter. They were marigolds! I would have been taken! I called the company, but after being put on hold for 30 minutes, I decided to part ways with my $20 and move forward.

Now, I was determined to make my plan work. I had told all my friends about my plan and could not tell them what happened. So, back to the drawing board. I ordered seeds that were more expensive. Yes I know, I should have just paid the $60, but I was on a mission! Apparently, hoodia seeds are scarce and the price has been driven up. I guess I am not the only one trying to grow my own hoodia.

My plants began to show promise. Little finger-like stems sprouted from the sand. This was more like it! Succulents, finally! In about a month, my little hoodia guys had flowers. Unfortunately, they lacked a pleasant fragrance like most flowers. These smelled like little rotting corpses! Nice. Apparently, hoodia flowers need to attract flies for pollination. They did; many, many flies!

I decided the garage and some grow lights were in order. Despite their stink, I did everything I could to care for my little hoodia dudes; however, after two weeks they began to whither. Another little known fact about hoodia: even commercial growers have yet to have much success in growing hoodia. I guess they contract disease and fungus easily.

My plants withered away and I had to give up my D.I.Y. project. My friends have not said much. I suppose they are just happy they do not have to put smelling salts under their noses to visit my house anymore (or swat away the flies). South Africa can keep its corner on the hoodia market. And yeah, okay, I ended up paying the $60 for the bottle of hoodia supplements. There is a happy ending. I have lost five pounds so far!

Can you grow your own hoodia? Go there and join our hoodia community on Facebook.

Tags: dieting, Health, health and fitness, Hoodia, Hoodia Gordonii, natural appetite suppressant, natural remedy for weight loss, weight loss

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