{"id":6909,"date":"2023-04-02T03:24:19","date_gmt":"2023-04-02T07:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/?p=6909"},"modified":"2023-03-31T03:26:18","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T07:26:18","slug":"how-to-plant-and-grow-chayote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/02\/how-to-plant-and-grow-chayote\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plant and Grow Chayote"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Versatile chayote squash is a mouthwatering fruit in recipes from pasta to enchiladas, and it\u2019s even more satisfying when you harvest it from your own garden.<\/p>

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PHOTO:\u00a0<\/span>

IGAGURI 1 \/ GETTY IMAGES<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Widely cultivated throughout Central and South America, chayote squash is a bright green, pear-shaped vegetable that\u2019s actually a member of the gourd or Cucurbitaceae family.\u00a0Used in a wide variety of sweet and savory dishes, chayote has a crisp texture and a taste that is somewhere between a cucumber and an apple.\u00a0<\/p>

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While most gardeners grow chayote for its fruit, all parts of chayote squash are edible, including tubers, stems and young leaves.\u00a0 Frequently used like\u00a0summer squash, chayote is often\u00a0featured in tacos and other Mexican fare, although it can be used in homemade sauces, juices, saut\u00e9s and other dishes.\u00a0This vining plant grows quite large and needs between 120 and 150 frost-free days to reach full maturity.\u00a0<\/p>

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Chayote Overview<\/h3>
GENUS NAME<\/td>Sechium edule<\/td><\/tr>
COMMON NAME<\/td>Chayote<\/td><\/tr>
PLANT TYPE<\/td>Perennial, Vegetable<\/td><\/tr>
LIGHT<\/td>Sun<\/td><\/tr>
WIDTH<\/td>null to 50 Feet<\/td><\/tr>
FLOWER COLOR<\/td>Green, White<\/td><\/tr>
FOLIAGE COLOR<\/td>Blue\/Green<\/td><\/tr>
ZONES<\/td>10, 11, 8, 9<\/td><\/tr>
PROPAGATION<\/td>Seed<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
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Where to Plant Chayote<\/span><\/h2>

Chayote is a large, vining plant that can grow between 20 to 50 feet in length, so it\u2019s important to choose a garden location where you\u2019ll have plenty of space for your chayote vines to spread.\u00a0Adding a cattle panel trellis or other support can help keep your vines from sprawling.<\/p>

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Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of bright sun.\u00a0Like other members of the Cucurbit family, chayote squash grows best in\u00a0rich, well-draining soil\u00a0that holds water well.\u00a0A\u00a0soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8\u00a0is best.\u00a0If you\u2019re working with nutrient-poor or poorly draining soil, enrich it with\u00a0organic compost\u00a0or aged manure before you plant your chayote seeds.<\/p>

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Gardeners in very hot climates may opt to sow their chayote in an area of their garden that receives some afternoon shade and protection from drying winds.

Because of its size and dense growth, chayote can make a perfect garden privacy screen when grown on trellises. It will also readily grow over arbors and garden arches to provide your landscape with an abundance of lush greenery.\u00a0<\/p>

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How and When to Plant Chayote<\/span><\/h2>

Chayote squash can be grown from seed; however, most gardeners grow their plants from whole, store-bought chayote squash.\u00a0If you want to grow chayote from a squash you purchase, look for fruit that is in good condition without skin blemishes.

Because chayote does not tolerate frost, it should only be planted outdoors about 3 to 4 weeks after your last frost date and when your garden soil has warmed to at least\u00a065\u00b0F.<\/p>

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To sow your plants, dig a hole 4 to 6 inches deep and plant your whole chayote, wide side down.\u00a0Place your squash at a 45-degree angle so that the top stem reaches just to the soil line.\u00a0Then backfill your hole to cover your squash, but take care not to bury it too deep as this can promote rot.

A single chayote vine can generally produce enough squash for 4 people; however, if you\u2019d like to sow more plants, space individual chayote squash or seeds at least 10 feet apart.<\/p>

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Chayote Squash Care Tips<\/span><\/h2>

As long as you have an ample growing season where you live, chayote squash can be simple plants to keep.\u00a0For healthy plants, follow the tips below and remember to install a\u00a0trellis\u00a0at the time of planting to avoid disturbing tender vines after they sprout.<\/p>

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Light<\/span><\/h3>

Chayote squash will grow best when planted in\u00a0full sun\u00a0and it should receive between 6 and 8 hours of bright light daily.\u00a0This plant can also grow in partial shade, although vines will produce fewer squash.<\/p>

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Soil and Water<\/span><\/h3>

Chayote will grow best in rich,\u00a0well-draining soil.\u00a0If needed, give your soil a nutrient boost by mixing in compost or aged manure and hilling your soil into a 4 x 4 square foot space to give your plants plenty of room to spread.

Chayote can be susceptible to rot if grown in overly moist conditions.\u00a0When planting your squash, water the soil well and then don\u2019t water again until your sprout emerges.\u00a0Throughout the growing season, water your chayote deeply only once, every 10 to 14 days.<\/p>

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Temperature and Humidity<\/span><\/h3>

Chayote squash naturally grows in tropical and subtropical environments and it does not handle cold well.\u00a0Thriving in heat and even some humidity, chayote needs about 30 frost-free days after flowering to produce fruit.<\/p>

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While it is not cold hardy, chayote can be overwintered in\u00a0zones 8\u00a0and above by cutting the vines down to the ground in autumn and adding a thick layer of mulch.\u00a0

Chayote can also be grown as an annual in zone 7 if it\u2019s sown early enough in the season.\u00a0Gardeners in cooler regions can grow chayote in pots and then bring plants indoors when temperatures drop.<\/p>

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Fertilizer<\/span><\/h3>

Chayote squash doesn\u2019t need a lot of fertilizer and too much nitrogen can reduce fruit yield.\u00a0Instead, fertilize your plants every 6 to 7 weeks with a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer to promote a larger harvest.<\/p>

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Pruning and Harvesting<\/span><\/h3>

After planting your chayote, wait until the vine develops 3 to 4 sets of true leaves and then pinch off the top tip of the plant to encourage it to branch.\u00a0Throughout the growing season, vines can also be pruned as needed to keep them smaller and encourage more branching.

Chayote squash should be harvested in late summer to early fall when fruit is a bright green color.\u00a0 You\u2019ll know your chayote is ready to harvest when fruit measures between 4 and 6\u201d long and the skin is still soft like a bell pepper.\u00a0Chayote that have been left on the vine too long will develop hard skin or become wrinkled and won\u2019t be as pleasant to eat.<\/p>

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Pests and Problems<\/span><\/h2>

Aphids<\/span><\/h3>

Aphids can cause distorted leaf growth and leave behind a sticky “honeydew” residue on plant leaves. To\u00a0rid your chayote of aphids, spray your plant with a strong blast from your garden hose or try out an organic insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.<\/p>

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Squash Vine Borer<\/span><\/h3>

Squash vine borers enter plant stems and can cause entire plants to rapidly wilt and die as they feed.\u00a0To prevent squash vine borers, try planting a trap crop like Hubbard squash, rotate your crops, and use floating row covers.<\/p>

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Powdery mildew<\/span><\/h3>

Powdery mildew produces a powdery, white film on plant leaves and can cause stunted growth.\u00a0To prevent mildew, keep plant leaves dry by watering at the soil line and only water your plants in the morning.<\/p>

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Chayote Companion Plants<\/span><\/h2>

Pumpkins<\/span><\/h3>
\"'small<\/div><\/div>
‘small sugar’ pumpkins.<\/span>\u00a0

JASON DONNELLY \/ BETTER HOMES & GARDENS<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Both vigorously growing plants, chayote squash and\u00a0pumpkins\u00a0make good companions as they have similar growing needs.<\/p>

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Squash<\/span><\/h3>
\"zucchini<\/div><\/div>
DEAN SCHOEPPNER<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Like pumpkins, other varieties of\u00a0squash\u00a0and zucchini will grow well with chayote and can also be supported by a shared trellising system.<\/p>

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Corn\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>
\"ear-of-corn-in-garden\"<\/div><\/div>

KRITSADA PANICHGUL \/ BETTER HOMES & GARDENS<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Because of its size,\u00a0corn\u00a0can easily grow alongside chayote without needing to worry about either plant outcompeting the other for sun or other resources.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Versatile chayote squash is a mouthwatering fruit in recipes from pasta to enchiladas, and it\u2019s even more satisfying when you harvest it from your own garden. PHOTO:  IGAGURI 1 \/ GETTY IMAGES Widely cultivated throughout Central and South America, chayote squash is a bright green, pear-shaped vegetable that\u2019s actually a member of the gourd or Cucurbitaceae family. Used in a wide variety of sweet and savory dishes, chayote has a crisp texture and a taste that is somewhere between a cucumber and an apple.  While most gardeners grow chayote for its fruit, all parts of chayote squash are edible, including tubers, stems and young leaves.  Frequently used like summer squash, chayote is often featured in tacos and other Mexican fare, although it can be used in homemade sauces, juices, saut\u00e9s and other dishes. This vining plant grows quite large and needs between 120 and 150 frost-free days to reach full maturity.  Chayote Overview GENUS…<\/p>\n

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