Learn how to plant, care for, and harvest chayote, a tropical vine crop that produces edible pear-shaped fruits. This guide covers the best planting site, soil, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and more. Chayote thrives in heat and humidity, so it’s essential to keep it safe from pests and harsh conditions.
Chayote grows best in rich, well-draining soil, which can be nutrient-boosted by mixing in compost or aged manure and hilling the soil into a 4 x 4 square foot space. Overly moist conditions can make the plant susceptible to rot. Regular watering is crucial, and adding aged compost to the planting bed before planting. Side dressing with compost tea every four weeks is recommended.
Chayote is a perennial plant, but it’s recommended to renew it every three years due to potential disease problems. Propagate by seed or planting, and place the pot in a sunny area with temperatures between 80 to 85 degrees F. (27-29 C.) with occasional watering. Once harvested, store it in the fridge but keep it in a cool place to prevent shoots from shooting too early.
Water the chayote squash weekly at a rate of 1 inch per week, using drip irrigation for a steady supply. In South Florida, planting in the fall is possible. Fertilize the plants 30 days after planting, once the vine is a few feet tall, and may need to be repeated. Water the vine about three times a week, especially in hot, dry conditions.
📹 Do this to CHAYOTE PLANTS for more Chayote Harvest
Do this to CHAYOTE PLANTS for more #chayote #harvest #howto #gardening #planting #choko #mirliton.
📹 Grow Chayote Squash in Colder Climates | Complete Growing Guide for Chayote Squash
This video is a guide to successfully grow chayote squash in colder climates. #gardeninginkentucky #zone7gardening #chayote.
when I was living in Hawaii I got intro to chayote and loved it. Last week in FL I received two at the food bank. In one week it already has a sprout so now I find you and your wonderful teaching. I love to grow and eat my own food, organically as possible. How do we fertilize these after planting? What to feed them? Thank you for the no nonsense, no jokes or trying to be cute, just honest info sharing your expertise and your kindness is so obvious. Blessings!
Great articles! About how much fruit do you get from each plant on average. Is your Trellis just cattle-panels and 4×4’s? I want to grow, but I have a small front yard, is the only place where there is any strong sun. My backyard has a lot of tree cover. I assume this plant needs A LOT of sunshine. So I need to make it look Attractive so the city doesn’t come after me! LOL I have some wire mesh that is 4 x 7 feet. I have shaped into a half cylinder and stick them upright into tire planters at the base. I use them to trellis tomato plants. can I use this for chayote to grow up? is 7 ft high enough or should I have an Arch style trellis like yours? Thank you for any suggestions.