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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18 Nov 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Phone an agronomist at an agric stocking/supply company.
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08 Nov 20, Joanne (Australia - temperate climate)
What causes leaf curl on choko vine.
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09 Nov 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are they receiving enough water?
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24 Oct 20, Jen (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought my last one from Coles. I bought the smallest and oldest looking one. Currently the sprout is about 3 inches and I will probably plant it out in a couple of days. It was not organic or anything - just regular off the shelf.
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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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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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