Chayote Vine

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Chayote Vine

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Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 19 12:23 pm Post subject: Chayote Vine
Has anyone tried growing chayote in the UK? I really love the squashes, in fact they are more versatile than courgettes. Just worried they might not actually fruit here.

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6612
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 19 1:02 pm Post subject:
Looks like it could be doable if these search results are to be trusted I've only ever seen chocho in Belize https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/chayote/growing-chayote-squash.htm https://www.gardenia.net/guide/hardiness-zones-in-the-united-kingdom

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 19 2:17 pm Post subject:
They're common in Portugal. I have brought back 2 of the fruits but I'm wondering if it's better to eat them or try grow them. I hate wasting. What concerns me is the 150 days to crop.... that's a lot of good weather to expect in Wales.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 19 9:51 pm Post subject:
Yep, I can get them going no problem, but haven't stayed in one location long enough to see them at maybe-fruiting size. Thy are slow to get going outdoors in Yorkshire! My tchnique involves buying a chayote, forgetting it on a shelf for weeks, noticing a sprout from the wrinkly end, planting the whole thing, forgetting about it again...

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 19 9:52 pm Post subject:
Fruits readily available in Asian grocers and some urban supermarket branches - check tesco and morrisons

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46246
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 19 1:03 am Post subject:
new to me, beasty things, love the make a mound school of curcurbit growing. at a guess greenhouse or plastic would give enough time for fruiting so long as it is big enough most curcurbits do well in the uk even if some like a home to snuggle in.

Jam Lady

Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2573
Location: New Jersey, USA

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 19 2:18 am Post subject:
An old way to supply extra warmth - get an old inner tube. Lay on ground where you intend to plant melon or chayote or whatever. Make a small hole and mostly fill inner tube with water. Patch. Sun warms black inner tube. Warmth gradually released when weather cools at night. Happy plant.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15996

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 19 7:34 am Post subject:
I don't think even in the south of England we often get temperatures of 80 deg F. Otherwise, looks as if the zones for growing should be just about all right. Sounds as if your idea of leaving it on a shelf until it starts to sprout might be the best way to get it going NMG, and the spare tyre method in a polytunnel or greenhouse may keep it going Jam Lady.

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 19 8:41 am Post subject:

NorthernMonkeyGirl wrote:

Yep, I can get them going no problem, but haven't stayed in one location long enough to see them at maybe-fruiting size. Thy are slow to get going outdoors in Yorkshire!

My tchnique involves buying a chayote, forgetting it on a shelf for weeks, noticing a sprout from the wrinkly end, planting the whole thing, forgetting about it again...

Ate 1 of the 2 last night.

Will do that with the last remaining one. Thanks.

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 19 8:42 am Post subject:

dpack wrote:

new to me, beasty things, love the make a mound school of curcurbit growing.

at a guess greenhouse or plastic would give enough time for fruiting so long as it is big enough

most curcurbits do well in the uk even if some like a home to snuggle in.

I'm not sure I want to get it in the greenhouse - I'm still mentally scarred from the Acocha that took over the entire greenhouse!

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 19 8:42 am Post subject:

Jam Lady wrote:

An old way to supply extra warmth - get an old inner tube. Lay on ground where you intend to plant melon or chayote or whatever. Make a small hole and mostly fill inner tube with water. Patch. Sun warms black inner tube. Warmth gradually released when weather cools at night. Happy plant.

Good tip. I will need to remember this one!

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46246
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 19 10:56 pm Post subject:

Shan wrote:

dpack wrote:

new to me, beasty things, love the make a mound school of curcurbit growing.

at a guess greenhouse or plastic would give enough time for fruiting so long as it is big enough

most curcurbits do well in the uk even if some like a home to snuggle in.

I'm not sure I want to get it in the greenhouse - I'm still mentally scarred from the Acocha that took over the entire greenhouse!

re doing ok i suspect day length in the summer and a nice nest is even better than 12hrs and a bit warmer outside further south

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