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Growing Choko, also Chayote squash, christophene, chouchou, mirliton

(Sechium edule)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
                       

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions


  • Easy to grow. Plant whole mature fruit when one produces a shoot at one end.. Best planted at soil temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 cm apart
  • Harvest in approximately 25 weeks. Best when fruit is light green and not more than 6cm long.
  • Compatible with: Cucumbers
  • Choko (cayote) on vine

Choko is frost tender. And is only suitable for warmer climates. Plant in a warm, unused corner of the garden. Leave the shoot sticking out of the ground. It needs a long growing season, about six months. But in that time it will spread itself a lot and can be useful to cover old sheds or fences!

An average household would need one or two plants.

Leaves rather like cucumber and some prickles on the fruit. Some variation in fruit, with lighter green and few prickles depending on variety. The differences seem to be between countries eg USA, Australia, Malta.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Choko

Chokos can be peeled and chopped to use in stews, soup or as a stir fry vegetable.
Cooked or raw, it has a very mild flavour and is commonly served with seasonings e.g., salt, butter and pepper or in a dish with other vegetables and/or flavourings. It can also be boiled, stuffed, mashed or pickled


Your comments and tips

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27 Apr 11, hennie (New Zealand - temperate climate)
At what time of year cN the choko be planted ? Must it be planted in an ater with direct sun ?
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13 Dec 10, Scott (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can tips of vines be eaten, as stir-fried or?... Thanks for your help with this.
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26 Jul 10, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The info about planting is on the choko page. Click on the Vegetables and Herbs tab and then click on Choko .
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid,   Australia - cool/mountain,   Australia - sub-tropical,   Australia - temperate,   Australia - tropical,   New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate,   South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical,   South Africa - Humid sub-tropical,   South Africa - Semi-arid,   South Africa - Summer rainfall,   United Kingdom - cool/temperate,   United Kingdom - warm/temperate,   USA - Central West Coast,   USA - Maritime Northwest,   USA - Mid-Atlantic,   USA - North East,   USA - South East and Gulf States,   USA - South West,   USA - Upper Midwest  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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