Chayote (Sechium edule) is an invaluable low-maintenance vine belonging to the gourd, pumpkin, cucumber, and squash family. The leaves, fruit, chayote squash or choko (mirliton) roots, flowers, leaves, seeds, and roots are all edible. Fences, trellises or pergolas can support the fast-growing vine. However, it may climb onto trees reaching over 10 meters long. The size of the vines may be controlled by growing them in pots or trimming them. Trimming is preferable as the excess foliage and fruits may be fed to livestock or for composting and giving black to the garden. The small unscented flowers attract bees as significant pollen sources in the rainy season when larger flowers are too soggy. We have the green and yellow chayote growing in the Subtropical Urban Eden.
Selecting Seeds
The chayote seed is embedded in the flesh of the fruit. Consequently, the entire fruit must be planted. The fruit is allowed to grow beyond the ideal harvest period. It may be left to start germinating on the plant or harvested and kept moist in a warm dark place until it sprouts before planting. There is a higher risk of rotting if the fruit is picked prematurely or planted without sprouting roots or shoots.
Positioning and planting
Chayote can grow in the ground or pots. The soil should be loosened before planting the squash, which should be placed horizontally and with the shoot facing upwards or to the side. Cover with loose soil but leave part of the shoot exposed. Potting or top soil is adequate at this stage as compost may cause the seedling to rot.
Plant maintenance
Chayote seedlings grow quickly. The leaves may be harvested within a month of planting. The seedling can be transplanted once the roots peep out of the poly bags. Support the plant with sticks or along the fence. No additional watering is required in the rainy season. Water once or twice weekly in the dry season. The roots are strong or widely spread., but remain shallow if the soil is kept moist. The vine will climb on any support once it starts fruiting. A well-cared vine will last for over a year, but one of the fruits may be left to germinate to propagate more plants as the initial plant ages.
Visit our online store for Chayote plants, seeds or squash.
