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 15°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 cm 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

07 Apr 12, Bails (Australia - temperate climate)
HI every body, My new choko vine is pumping along great, but have noticed with the first crop the little ones r droping off. Any suggestions out there. Oh yea they do make a great pie yum!!!!!!! .
10 Apr 12, john (Australia - temperate climate)
How many seasons will one plant on a vine last
02 May 12, Tina (Australia - temperate climate)
I have choko plants in my backyard for 4 years now. Each year the plants will die out around July and re grow on late October.
30 Apr 12, nazmul (Australia - tropical climate)
i have planted a choko plant 2 month ago.But its growth is not good..could u advice me plz.
12 May 12, John R (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi all I read and hear is buy and plant the choko,but from may till september how do I keep or store my choko,its sprouting now,John
17 May 12, Mike n Lucy (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
We are now growing chouchou in a temporary greenhouse in Bexley in Kent. It came from the stone of the fruit and is growing like crazy with a bit of fleece netting over it to keep it warm. The fruit makes a fantastic juice esepcially when mixed with a smidge of orange juice. The juice is used in Brazil as a natural remedy to help lower blood pressure. It sure does seem to work.
19 May 12, richard (Australia - temperate climate)
You don't need to peel chokos before cooking. Wash them (light scrub) Cut them into 4 long ways, Cut out the white core, Boil or microwavewith a little salt and eat them directly off the skin. Yum! If you really want to spoil your waist line add butter, salt & pepper, Yum Yumm!
22 May 12, june (Australia - temperate climate)
Have some chokos that were picked very late and are shooting. Does the whole choko go into the ground with the shoot sticking up or do is there something else that must be completed first? Thanks all.
28 May 12, Laura (Australia - temperate climate)
I also have two sprouting chokoes.Do I keep them and if there still alright, plant them in the warmer months?
31 May 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
what goodness is in choko that I should eat them
Showing 41 - 50 of 263 comments

HI every body, My new choko vine is pumping along great, but have noticed with the first crop the little ones r droping off. Any suggestions out there. Oh yea they do make a great pie yum!!!!!!! .

- Bails

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