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

05 Nov 21, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Buy seeds online or buy a choko and wait until it starts sending out a shoot and then plant.
01 Sep 21, Johnny Leech (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Will choko grow in a cold area in North Canterbury
07 Sep 21, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
No, they need warm weather by the look of it.
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?
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.
22 May 18, Angie Tan De Souza (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I had planted my Choko Plant in end of 2016. Got a few melons in 2017 and quite a number of them in 2018. Of course it have flowers and melon only during warmer season. apparently there are a few new shoots are growing from the plant, so I would appreciate if someone can let me know how long does a choke plant can grow? Thanks and regards.
28 Jul 18, Jenelyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Choko is perennial plant, it will keep growing but to the very cold places mostly died. If you can protect it from frost it will come out again when weather is warm enough.
11 Jun 13, Orlando (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I get choko seeds or plant?
27 Apr 11, hennie (New Zealand - temperate climate)
At what time of year cN the choko be planted ? Must it be planted in an ater with direct sun ?
13 Dec 10, Scott (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can tips of vines be eaten, as stir-fried or?... Thanks for your help with this.
Showing 11 - 20 of 21 comments

Wanting to get Choko fruit for planting in Broken Hill. Not certain when or where to purchase can you help? Would like to talk to NAFISA whose Dec.11 comments could be interesting as it looks as if they also reside in BROKEN HILL.

- Brian Wood

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