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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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

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.
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
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.
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.
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!!!!!!! .
07 Apr 12, Jo Webster (Australia - temperate climate)
Is there special fertilizers that go on chokos as some of our fruit are growing deformed?
07 Apr 12, Ernie (Australia - temperate climate)
Which way do you lay your choko in the ground , on its side or uprite
09 Apr 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
Can't remember as it's been there for years. Every other year we've had normal chokos, this is the first year they have been a funny shape & also we are normally picking them this time of the year & so far we havnt had any. There's lots of babies on there but I don't know as some of the leaves are starting to go yellow!!
09 Apr 12, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
upright to sprout .. any which way when growing
Showing 221 - 230 of 267 comments

Last season we had an abundance of choko's. Use choko's as a replacement for apple pie. Cook choko as you would if stewing apples, great for apple crumble and apple pie. Choko's were often used this way during the war when apples were not available or too expensive. Try it you won't know the difference!!!

- Shelly

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