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

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22 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Buy from a shop then leave them sit in the cupboard or windowsill. Go to google and research how to grow choko.
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22 Oct 19, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
I just planted a whole choko in the ground and forgot about it. Had to get rid of it in the end as it got a bit out of hand.
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23 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Trim the plant back after it fruits each year. I had a 600mm high young passionfruit (?) plant grow to over 10 m long in the space of a year. I have just cut 2/3 of it off. The neighbour waters the hell out of her plants on the other side of the fence. I didn't have many fruit but a huge vine.
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25 Aug 19, Gordon (Australia - tropical climate)
Can i grow chokos in Cairns in a pot do i need two ive planted them in a pot using potting mix do i have to water them Thank you
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10 Aug 19, David (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
When to prune choko vine? Have got some healthy fruits from 1st plant and the vine seems to be weathering now. Have been advised to trim it down to the ground. Any advice please?
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14 Aug 19, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
After the fruiting season, cut back the choko vines to four or five short vines to grow for the next season. Chokos are best picked when they are young, because they are more tender and can be eaten with their skin on.May 3, 2019.
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19 Jul 19, Brian Wood (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in far west NSW and would like to grow choko vines. They do grow here (Broken Hill) as my father grew them successfully. Can you advise me the best way to grow them and where I can purchase fruit, plants or seeds. Would really welcome your advice. Brian Wood.
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22 Jul 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Buy some chokos from a supermarket or grocer and wait until they start sprouting then plant. Grow on a trellis. Look up how to grow on the internet.
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20 Jun 19, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can i buy chayote from
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24 Jun 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Buy a choko from a fruit and veg shop.
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Showing 81 - 90 of 267 comments
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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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