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

03 Oct 16, Sofie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in tassie, but live on the east coast. I'm really wanting to get some chokos. Please help, thanks
08 Oct 16, Ben (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Salamanca Fruit Market often have them if you happen to be in Hobart.
04 Oct 16, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can plant any chokos you get from the supermarket. We see them in Coles all the time.
13 Sep 16, Raina Stevens (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been unable to find chayote (what we know as choko.) It's not available in my local stores. I remember it used to grow all over the place 20 years ago. Would you believe that I have found it overseas and have paid about $13AUD for one. If I recall correctly, the new plants grow from the whole uncut or unbroken fruit and not from a seed. Back then, nothing was ever said in reference to it's nutritional etc. value. However; after a little research I believe it's worth it's weight in nutrients and fibre.
17 Mar 17, Raina Stevens (Australia - temperate climate)
re; my previous comment and the overseas purchase of a choko. Not long thereafter and not surprisingly, Customs destroyed it. Would anyone in Australia be willing to sell a couple and post to me. I prefer to make payment with PayPal or by electronic transfer. They are just not available in Bairnsdale.Vic. - East Gippsland. I would greatly appreciate a positive response.
11 Sep 16, Allison wilkinson (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi a friend has given me a shooting choko in ice cream bucket in soil. I was just wondering how often do I water it & what I can put on it to make it grow. Many Thanks
24 Aug 16, Josie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where do chokos originally come from.
28 Aug 16, John Bushell (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Josie, they originate from Central America - the region known as Mesoamerica. If searching on the internet look for chayote - that is the plant: choko is the fruit.
09 Aug 16, Donna Jo Mcnnes (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My choko died down as usual and is now growing vigorously & has runners 12 - 15 feet long already. Should I cut these back to the base & let it start again in spring of just let it grow? I live in the Northern Rivers, Kyogle, NSW, & have had no frosts reach it so far & doubt if the frost will hit it now. I know if it gets frosted to cut it right down & cover it with mulch, but as it hasn't been frosted, I don't know what to do. I do notice lots of tiny snails on the higher leaves....I put snail bait around the bottom, but what can you do about the high ones that can't be reached to pick off? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you, Donna
12 Jun 16, Chrissy (Australia - temperate climate)
Why do some of my chokos have brown patches on the inside?
Showing 121 - 130 of 221 comments

You can try - the times here are only a guide - they are not perfect all the time - if it doesn't work plant earlier next time. An idea is to buy a choko a couple of months earlier than planting - put it down the bottom of the pantry in the cool dark place. It will probably start to shoot after awhile. Come Dec plant it in the soil.

- Mike

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