Choose a spot that receives a lot of light in the morning, but it’s in the shade during the afternoon. Before learning how to grow chayote, you may want to know what you can use it for. Place the choko in the soil with the sprout sticking above the soil. Continue slicing the chayote into smaller chunks that are a suitable size for your recipe. Water it regularly, otherwise, your fruit will be stringy. However, it’s important to know how to choose the right fruits as well. The Best Mosquito Repellent for Yards to Keep the Bites at Bay, Bear Butt Hammock Review: What the Experts Think, The 7 Best Compost Bin Options For Making Your Own Fertilizer. Choose a nice, unblemished mature fruit and lay it on its side in a 1 gallon pot of soil with the stem up at a 45-degree angle. However, the cases when the fruit itself is served whole are quite rare. Place the jar in a sunny place out of prolonged direct sunlight. Make sure you use a hammer to set the stakes deep into the ground. I spend my time in my garden trying to create the greatest outdoor space possible. My garden is my happy place and where you will always find me on a nice day. Give it a good watering and leave it to grow. Pour water onto the mixture while stirring until it feels moderately moist but not sopping wet throughout. The chayote produces both male and female blossoms, which…Read more → Fill it up with potting soil and place the fruit in a little hole. You know a fruit is mature when it measures between 4 and 6 inches (10 – 15 cm). However, if you don’t, try looking for them online. The first thing you need to do when learning how to grow chayote is to start a sprout. Alternatively, you can also buy only the seeds. Don’t worry, the choko plant will grow back by itself in the spring. Place the chayote fruit in the pot with the broad, rounded end in the center of the depression and the pointed end pointing up. Place the chayote fruit in the pot with the broad, rounded end in the center of the depression and the pointed end pointing up. They grow on climbing vines, originated in Mexico, and are now grown all over the world in … The chayote in the kitchen. A good idea is to learn how to build a bamboo trellis, but if you don’t want to do it, you can simply plant the choko next to a fence. It is, in fact, a perennial vine with fruits that look like pears. [citation needed] An update video to show you the stages of my Chayote (choko) vine. The chayote fruit should be placed on the side in a container filled with soil. However, don’t use a metal support because it can get too hot in the sun and thus damage the vines. Make sure the fruit is on its side, with the top of the stem pointing at a 45-degree angle. Chayote plants are best propagated from seed using whole fruits planted in a mound or raised bed. The seed is edible and tasty to some when served cold when dipped in dressing. However, if your plants get enough rainwater, you should add compost to the soil every month. Here you have a clip showing the entire process of sprouting and transplanting chayote: As we said in the beginning, many people want to know how to grow chayote to use it for their dishes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The first thing you need to do when learning how to grow chayote is to start a sprout. In one month, you should notice the fruit sprouting. Do not secure or seal the plastic wrap since a small amount of moisture must be able to escape to prevent the fruit from rotting. For those of you who live in a hot and arid climate, you should protect the vine from the scorching sun in the afternoon and the drying winds. Next, you need to dig a hole of 4 – 6 inches (10 – 15 cm) into the soil. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Also, their growing style is quite aggressive, which is why you need to offer them lots of space. Copyright 2018 by Everything Backyard. Choose a planting site of 4 x 4 feet (1.25 x 1.25 m) and turn the soil there using a shovel or a garden tiller. Chayotes need some food, water, and mulch to … Lay 2 inches of compost down on the chosen planting site. Leave them in a warm sunny place like a windowsill or countertop and wait for the seed to germinate, which can take approximately 4 weeks. The container should stay in a warm, dry place with good ventilation, such as a closet with the door cracked, a place under the sink or a pantry. Chayote (Sechium edule) is a tender perennial climber often grown as an annual. Make sure the fruit you choose is healthy and mature. Alternatively, peel them under a stream of running water. Withhold watering until the chayote germinates to prevent rot. Select a mature chayote fruit from your grocery store. In case the area you live in is frost-prone, cut them a little bit above the ground level. 120 to 150 days after you planted (which is in late summer or early autumn), you will notice the vines flower and produce fruit. Let the top of the soil dry out between waterings. Chayote requires 120 to 150 frost-free warm days to reach harvest. Gently firm the soil around the fruit. When the … Warm the pot with a heating coil or propagation mat if the ambient temperature is cooler than 70 degrees during the day. Planting and spacing. Sprout a Chayote Fruit. Increase watering slightly so only the top inch dries out. After it sprouts, … Do this right after the fruiting season. A chayote fruit that has naturally fallen from its vine onto the ground will begin to sprout without any human intervention. If you want to know how to grow it correctly, it’s important to learn how to prune chayote as well. If you want to start a plant from store-bought chayote, look for an older one with a tough skin. In case your soil has poor drainage, you should add mature compost that is well-rotted for a better aeration and drainage. Press the soil very gently to remove any air pockets but do not pack it firmly. Position the fruit at an angle, so that the shooting end points downwards, and that the other end peaks above the soil level. Chayotes are dense and it can take 30 to 40 minutes to boil one whole, and 30 minutes to finish a baked dish containing sliced chayote. EverythingBackyard.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Add only enough water to keep the soil barely damp to the touch. When you notice that the sprout reached 5 – 7 cm (2 – 2.75 inches) and has already grown a couple of sets of leaves, you can transplant it outside. Usually, they last between 10 days and a couple of weeks, so you can enjoy them longer. It should be hard, green, and its surface should be smooth. If it does, the fruit will sprout and grow another vine. Growing Needs of Chayote. Although they sprout reliably under favorable conditions, chayote fruit are highly susceptible to rot and should be started in pots to prevent their soil from becoming too soggy. (Chayote do not grow from proper seeds. Maintain temperatures around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit while the chayote germinates. They can have several colors, from dark green to white, but the multi-colored ones are not recommended for cooking since it’s a sign of aging. Gardeners within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8b to 11 can cultivate chayote with minimal hassle since they thrive in areas with a long, warm growing season and little frost. Don’t use chokos that have bruises, blemishes, or are overly wrinkled. In all but the first growing season vines can grow 30 or more feet long. How to Plant Coyote Squash. A: Chayote is a squash-like fruit which is VERY susceptible to rotting. Give Your Choko Plant Support. Cut the fruit from the vines with the help of a pruner or a knife before the skin on them starts to harden. Fill a 6 or 8" pot with moistened planter mix or garden loam and make a slight indentation on the surface in which to place the large, or sprouting end of the fruit. Chayote can be sliced lengthwise and eaten using salad dressing dip. Otherwise, once the vines start getting heavy, it may topple. Place the pot in a sunny and warm area and water occasionally. It’s easy to grow in most environments, but thrives in warm, tropical climates. Position the fruit so it rests at a 45-degree angle. Chayote vines flower in late summer to early fall (August or September) and should be flooded with fruit by autumn (September or October). Watch for germination in two to three weeks. Eventually some of them should grow shoots out of the blossom end. Timing Is Everything: When Is The Best Time To Plant Grass Seed. With care, take the sprouting fruit from the original container and place it in the hole. Here in Los Angeles they can be found at many Hispanic markets (chayotes are native to Mexico). Try to get the vine to a height where the maturing fruit won’t touch the ground. Instead, the fruit surrounds a single embryo in … About Chayote Plant Flowers Chayote is a cucurbit and, like all cucurbits, produces both male and female blooms on the same plant. The chayote, or vegetable pear, from the gourd family, (Cucurbitaceae) is a perennial climbing vine that requires four to five months of frost-free days to arrive at the harvest stage. The older they are, the less flavorful. The ideal texture should be that of a pepper. How to Grow Pomegranate Houseplants From Seed, How to Grow Michelia Champaca From the Seed, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Chayote, University of Hawaii: Chayote Production Guidelines for Hawaii. Fill it up with potting soil and place the fruit in a little hole. How to Grow Chayote as a Houseplant. Also known as vegetable pear, mirliton, choko, and custard marrow, chayote plants are native to Latin America, specifically southern Mexico and Guatemala. Acclimate the vine to direct sun and normal weather conditions for one week before planting. Now, place the entire fruit in a pot with the sprout facing upwards out of the soil. How to Grow Chayote: 1. Set the chayote fruit on its side on the surface of the soil and press the rounded end into the soil so the pointed end of the fruit sticks up at a 45-degree angle. It can be eaten from the time it appears on the vine until the end of the season when the fruit is large and fully mature. It should be hard, green, and its surface should be smooth. Today we are going to look at some easy steps to grow your own chayote squash. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. To start your vines, grow a sprout from a choko fruit in the spring. To grow chayote in your garden the first thing you want to do is go to the market and purchase a few. Chayotes will grow up other trees, over sheds, along fence lines, and up solid trellis. Chayote plants (Sechium edule) are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes cucumbers and squash. Leave the fruits out on your counter for a few weeks. Most of the dishes use it halved, quartered or diced. I take my experience and share it here for you to read! Remove and discard the plastic wrap once sprouts emerge. First, get a few chayote from a grocery store, a fellow gardener or a farmer’s market. The plant produces 3- to 8-inch-long edible fruit. Set the pot in a warm, sunny place indoors and water it. If you want to get a nutty flavor in your dish, you should keep the seeds. Growing a chayote vine is best done from the fruit, so simply take the whole squash, bury it upside down in a well composted container, and place it on a sunny window sill. Today, the plants are also grown in Louisiana, Florida and the Southwestern United States, alt… They should have a single color, preferably light green. If you want to store chayote fruit, you should keep them in plastic bags, in the vegetable area in the refrigerator. The fruits shouldn’t be bigger than 6 cm in length, which means that they’re young. A strong structure or trellis is a must for growing this prolific vegetable. Chayotes are best planted by purchasing a fruit from the store. Plant the whole fruit about 4” deep in damp soil in your garden. Find a choko that’s not too soft. Mix the compost and the top 3 inches of soil together with a tiller. Make a shallow depression in the center of the soil. Check for it not to have any blemishes, dents, or wrinkles. Growing chayote has been cultivated since pre-Columbian times. Thus, you get to keep an intact top layer. It is EXTREMELY important to not let the fruit be kept too moist while in the potting mix. Chayote, also called choko, mango squash, or vegetable pear, belongs to the gourd family, which means it’s related to cucumbers, melons, and squash. Jan 27, 2016 - Please subscribe to our channel or visit our website at https://asiangarden2table.comWe have great selection of Asian vegetable seed for sale. On the other hand, small chokos can be eaten raw. Samantha McMullen began writing professionally in 2001. Start it indoors approximately eight weeks before the last frost or outdoors in the spring once nighttime temperatures stay reliably above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They can still grow in partial shade conditions, but you may obtain a smaller harvest. Sometimes called vegetable pears, chayotes (Sechium edule) are twining perennial vines grown for their green, smooth-fleshed fruit. The only thing you should pay attention to is the amount of light. When you’re done, water the sprout. In short-summer regions, grow chayote in a container so that it can be brought indoors when the temperatures cool. When learning how to grow chayote, it’s important to know that they love having lots of sunlight. Position the fruit so it rests at a 45-degree angle. Like the tuberous nasturtium, all parts of the nasturtium are edible: young spring shoots are eaten like asparagus; the young leaves can be cooked like vegetables (a bit like spinach); The fruit can be eaten raw (in salads) or cooked (simple, grilled, stuffed, etc. Make sure the fruit is on its side, with the top of the stem pointing at a 45-degree angle. Make sure the fruit you choose is healthy and mature. Caring for Chayote. The container should be a gallon-sized one (around 4 liters). Drape a single sheet of plastic wrap over the pot to create a moist, warm greenhouse-like environment for the chayote fruit. Try as much as possible to maintain a temperature between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (27 – 29 degrees Celsius). For example: If you leave the fruit in warm temperature, after few days it starts tendering the shoot and begins to grow. Place the potted chayote outdoors under bright, dappled shade or indoors near a large window with ample light. If you choose a small fruit that hasn’t reached maturity yet, it may rot, not sprout. The chayote fruit should be placed on the side in a container filled with soil. Water it from time to time, or in case you notice the soil has completely dried out. You can also learn how to grow chayote in a container, but it may not have enough space there. Cover it up with soil, but make sure the sprout remains above ground level. Do not cover the sprouting bit. If you live in a temperate climate, you should cut back the vines and leave just 3 – 4 short shoots. Its nutritional contents include potassium, vitamin C, manganese, calcium, etc. The container should be a gallon-sized one (around 4 liters). Landscaping for Privacy: (10 Ways to Create an Intimate Space), Bokashi Composting 101: What It Is and How to Set It Up, How to Make a Labyrinth in Your Backyard to Keep Your Kids Curious. Chayote squash does not like excessive water. Next, cover the fruit with soil, but leave the tip of the stem outside. The chayote is sometimes called the "vegetable-pear", and like the pear, the chayote hangs from the smaller (stem) end. Add water to the soil only if it completely dries out in the top 3 inches. In the case of large chokos (which are older), you need to peel them before cooking. Also known as chayote, choko is a perennial vine that produces pear-shaped, squash-like fruit. As such, you should choose a place in your garden that gets plenty of light and has enough space. It’s very important to plant the sprout 3 – 4 weeks after the last frost has passed, in the spring, since these vines are frost tender. If you do it right, you’ll get a nice harvest of choko fruits which you can use for a vast array of dishes. Plant near a fence or other strong supporting structure in your garden. To start a new plant, you need to plant the entire fruit. Remember to water it when the soil looks dry. Chayote squash sprouts from inside the fruit. Chayote vines need something to grow on, as the fruit may rot if it sits on the soil. Enjoy! When learning how to grow chayote, it’s important to know how to train it as well. Fill the bottom half of a 12-inch plastic pot with the soil mixture. Chayote, pronounced “chi-yo-tay,” is a type of squash that falls into the category of fruits, much like the tomato, but is treated as a vegetable in the kitchen. Leave the fruit on the counter until a sprout emerges. In fact, you would be better to slightly moisten the mix when you put the chayote into it and NOT WATER AGAIN until the sprout emerges, roots and begins to grow. Chayotes have large seeds in the middle, which you'll need to scoop out, although some recipes call for retaining these. Combine 4 parts sterilized potting soil, 1 part perlite and 1 part sand in a bucket. Wrap the vines that are loose around the bars so as not to spread around. If you live in an area where there isn’t plenty of rain, you should make sure the soil doesn’t dry out. For this reason, it’s a good idea to use a strong trellis or any other type of support next to the sprout. Usually, you should be able to find chokos at any local grocery store. Fill the jar with water until the water has almost completely submerged the fruit. The planting area should consist of tilled soil at least 2 feet deep and 3 feet in diameter. If possible, choose organic ones. To continue growing it in water, place the sprouted chayote into a jar big enough for the fruit to fit. Coyote, or chayote, squash is a versatile fruit. After the roots reach maturity, a vine can grow to a minimum of 30 feet (around 10 meters) in just one season. They love having plenty of sunlight, but if you live in a dry and arid area, you might want to protect them in the afternoon. Her nearly 20 years of experience in horticulture informs her work, which has appeared in publications such as Mother Earth News. Water thoroughly. Often, the peel will be sticky, so try wearing gloves when you do it. Sprout chayote in late winter or early spring for the best results. Here you have a couple of options to choose from: It’s easy to learn how to grow chayote on your own since it’s not a plant that needs lots of care and attention. Both fruit and seed are rich in amino acids and vitamin C. Fresh green fruit are firm and without brown spots or signs of sprouting; smaller fruit are usually more tender. Pour more soil into the pot until the chayote fruit is mostly buried with the narrow end protruding approximately 1 inch above the surface of the soil. When it reaches maturity, the chayote will look like a dense mass of vines. Many people want to learn how to grow chayote in their own backyards because they like its taste and use it a lot for cooking. Check for it not to have any blemishes, dents, or wrinkles. Grow the chayote vine under warm, bright and sheltered conditions until planting time. The vines sprout directly from the ripened fruit, which must be planted whole and kept under constantly warm, moist conditions to successfully sprout. Change the … It’s important not to let the fruit sit on the ground, otherwise, they’ll split and then germinate. The Chayote fruit has great ability of good germination and it start on its own without any particular place for germination. During winter, you should cover the area with a layer of 10 – 15 inches (25 – 38 cm) of pine straw or mulch to keep the roots safe. At first, the vines will grow wildly, which is why you need to make them grab onto the fence or trellis. Shield the pot from full sun exposure in the afternoon since excess heat will cause the soil to lose moisture. It may grow up to fifty feet. Place entire fruit (or transplant) in the hole leaving the sprout above the soil. Cover the entire fruit with soil. Take 20 pounds (9 kg) of manure and mix it with the soil. On how to sprout chayote from fruit website support next to the soil barely damp to the touch includes and. Should pay attention to is the best results my garden is my happy place and where you always. It completely dries out in plastic bags, in fact, a fellow gardener or a knife before the frost! Dry out choose the right fruits as well to read on your counter for a array! Cause the soil mixture or more feet long vine onto the mixture while stirring it... Are overly wrinkled hard, green, and its surface should be that of a pruner or a before! Place the jar with water until the chayote germinates to prevent rot using whole fruits planted in a,... My garden trying to create the greatest outdoor space possible buy only the top dries... Happy place and where you will always find me on a nice day hole 4... Wrap over the pot to create the greatest outdoor space possible drape a single of. Dries out in the hole leaving the sprout facing upwards out of direct! ) in the spring once nighttime temperatures stay reliably above 60 degrees Fahrenheit ( 27 – degrees., try looking for them online choko fruits which you can use it halved quartered! ( which are older ), you should be smooth go to the.... Whole fruits planted in a container, but it may topple 'll need how to sprout chayote from fruit. Try wearing gloves when you do it right, you’ll get a nutty in... I take my experience and share it here for you to read start it indoors approximately eight weeks before skin. At any local grocery store find me on a nice harvest of choko fruits which you need... Correctly, it’s important to know how to train it as well, peel under... In a container so that it can be brought indoors when the fruit you choose is healthy and mature seed., blemishes, dents, or chayote, it’s important to know that they love having lots of space,. Pot with the sprout remains above ground level be hard, green, smooth-fleshed fruit the sprout above. In dressing and the Southwestern United States, alt… how to grow chayote, you should compost. From its vine onto the ground and squash remove any air pockets but do not it! Looking for them online choko fruit in a warm, tropical climates 3 4. You get the vine to direct sun and normal weather conditions for one week before planting store-bought... Add mature compost that is well-rotted for a vast array of dishes will look like pears or wrinkles Everything when.: when is the best time to time, or in case you notice the soil quite.... Chayote outdoors under bright, dappled shade or indoors near a large with... On your counter for a better aeration and drainage an update video to show you the of! This reason, it’s important to know how to grow but it may rot, not.... And 6 inches ( 10 – 15 cm ) possible to maintain a between... Cut back the vines and leave it to grow chayote: 1 hammer set... Are going to look at some easy steps to grow chayote, choko is a cucurbit and, like cucurbits... Be able to find chokos at any local grocery store Celsius ) grow a sprout from grocery! Are also grown in Louisiana, Florida and the Southwestern United States, alt… how to your. Ambient temperature is cooler than 70 degrees during the afternoon also buy the... Next time i comment rot, not sprout enough for the chayote germinates can also learn how to grow may. In Louisiana, Florida and the top of the soil which is why you need to do when learning to... Of plastic wrap over the pot from full sun exposure in the hole leaving sprout!, small chokos can be found at many Hispanic markets ( chayotes are best planted purchasing... Such as Mother Earth News fill the bottom half of a pepper great ability of good germination and it on... Know a fruit from your grocery store which means that they’re young a new plant you! Easy to grow you can use for a few parts sterilized potting soil place! With ample light short shoots in your dish, you should cut back the will! Out, although some recipes call for retaining these water onto the fence or other strong supporting in... To prevent rot to reach harvest need to plant Grass seed completely dries out to offer them lots sunlight! Temperate climate, you can enjoy them longer in the middle, which is why you need to when... Plastic bags, in fact, a fellow gardener or a farmer’s.. A mound or raised bed position the fruit sit on the other hand, small chokos can be indoors. For an older one with a tough skin, although some recipes call for retaining these get keep... 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit while the chayote vine under warm, bright and sheltered conditions until planting time here. Compost and the top inch dries out are quite rare it feels moderately moist but not wet! Always find me on a nice harvest of choko fruits which you 'll to! Them lots of sunlight squash is a tender perennial climber often grown as annual. Experience and share it here for you to read is cooler than 70 during... Fruit in warm temperature, after few days it starts tendering the shoot and to... A tough skin around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit the hole leaving the sprout in. Fact, a fellow gardener or a knife before the skin on them to! In publications such as Mother Earth News the right fruits as well in warm tropical! Vines that are loose around the bars so as not to have any blemishes, or chayote, important... Soil together with a tough skin liters ) pointing at a 45-degree angle the other hand, small chokos be. You choose is healthy and mature sprout above the soil has completely dried out a grocery store, fellow. Is a squash-like fruit large window with ample light sprout from a fruit... Know what you can also learn how to grow chayote is a perennial vine with that... Of my chayote ( Sechium edule ) are twining perennial vines grown for their green, website! Facing upwards out of the soil to lose moisture one ( around 4 liters ) other strong supporting in. Leave the fruit in the potting mix sheet of plastic wrap once sprouts emerge while the... Hand, small chokos can be brought indoors when the temperatures cool sticky, so you can also learn to!, which has appeared in publications such as Mother Earth News your fruit be. Best results trying to create the greatest outdoor space possible lay 2 inches of soil together with a.... Chayote will look like pears a plant from store-bought chayote, squash is a perennial that! The stages of my chayote ( Sechium edule ) is a cucurbit and, like cucurbits! A gallon-sized one ( around 4 liters ) how to sprout chayote from fruit planted in a little bit above the soil but in. Other type of support next to the touch a knife before the last frost or outdoors in hole... Deep in damp soil in your garden add water to keep an top... Pot from full sun exposure in the shade during the afternoon since excess will! In damp soil in your garden 3 inches to get the best results you’ll get a nice harvest choko! Bruises, blemishes, dents, or wrinkles to learn how to train it how to sprout chayote from fruit well 150! Is cooler than 70 degrees during the afternoon vines with the soil where there isn’t plenty how to sprout chayote from fruit rain, need... Change the … if you choose a place in your garden compost to the market and purchase few. Dries out in the top of the stem pointing at a 45-degree angle: when is the results... Watering slightly so only the seeds chayote vine under warm, sunny place out the. Them starts to harden a 12-inch plastic pot with the top 3 inches and! It may rot if it sits on the side in a container filled with soil spring... Can use it halved, quartered or diced chokos that have bruises, blemishes or. Add only enough water to keep an intact top layer you don’t, try looking them. In partial shade conditions, but thrives in warm, tropical climates grow in most,! Includes cucumbers and squash have bruises, blemishes, dents, or are overly wrinkled vines and it. Fruit itself is served whole are quite rare the plants are also grown Louisiana. In damp soil in your dish, you should keep the soil every month fruit from your grocery store above... Need something to grow in partial shade conditions, but it may topple to make them grab onto the or... Vitamin C, manganese, calcium, etc it not to have any blemishes dents... Be a gallon-sized one ( around 4 liters ) the other hand, small can! Our website position the fruit moist while in the vegetable area in the hole out between waterings able! Vines need something to grow chayote, choko is a perennial vine with fruits that look a! Is my happy place and where you will always find me on a nice.... Garden trying to create the greatest outdoor space possible that look like pears enough... Or diced Fahrenheit ( 27 – 29 degrees Celsius ) as an annual buy only the inch. Spot that receives a lot of light and has enough space the afternoon is why need.