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

Sechium edule : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Easy to grow. Plant whole mature fruit when one produces a shoot at one end.. Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in 17-25 weeks. Best when fruit is light green and not more than 6 cm long.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cucumbers

Your comments and tips

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19 Oct 20, Shez (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The choko you buy in shops used to sprout and you could grow them, in the last couple of years I have bought many and they don’t sprout. I think they must treat them somehow to stop sprouting. You have to find someone who has a vine to get one for growing on, I have been given a pale one, but would like a standard green one, they are hardier plants, the pale one suffers badly from mealy bug and doesn’t give much fruit.
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17 Oct 20, sanjiv (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can i buy choko seeds/vine? I am in Johannesburg.
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20 Oct 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Try from market gardens or find someone local to ask to buy one from.
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19 Oct 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Buy one from a shop and put in a cool spot. It should start sending out a vine in awhile. Then plant it.
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12 Sep 20, Lois (Australia - temperate climate)
Can anyone please tell if chokos you buy in a supermarket will grow and produce fruit. Thank you
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14 Sep 20, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes
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21 Jun 20, Jaco (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What kind of soil and nutrition do choko need.?What kind of root system do it have depth of ground ext
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22 Jun 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I suggest you do some research on the internet about soil for gardening. Preparing soil takes a few weeks or months before planting. If you prepare your soil properly you add compost and even manure to it 2-3 months before planting. Dig soil 250-300mm deep.
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11 May 20, Lea Doolan (Australia - tropical climate)
why do leaves on a helathy choko curl,,the fruit doesn't seem affected..
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12 May 20, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try an agronomist at a farming agency.
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Showing 61 - 70 of 266 comments
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Planted chokos from fruits from veges shops. Healthy growth but no fruit set over the last 3 seasons. Fertilizer (complete formulation for fruit and veg) at early shoots and pre-flowering. Planted in full sun position. Can someone please help, thanks.

- Marcus Chin

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