Gardening Articles: Edibles :: Vegetables Chayote (page 2 of 3)
by Jim Wilson How to Grow Chayote Gardeners can harvest chayote
as far north as USDA Hardiness Zone 7. Plants thrive at lower
elevations in California and the Southwest, and in the warmer
valleys of Oregon and Washington. In its native tropical
climate, where the days and nights are nearer to the same length
year-round, chayote bears fruit for several months. Here in the
United States, it usually doesn't flower until the first week of
September, when nights begin to lengthen perceptibly, and at
least a 30-day period of frost-free weather is needed from the
time first flowers appear to ripen the fruit. Here in zone 7,
I've harvested a dozen fruits from one vine. Where frost comes
later, gardeners can expect to harvest two to four dozen fruits
per plant. You can start a couple of chayote vines by sprouting
fruits from the grocery store. Select ones with few wrinkles or
spines, and the more mature, the better -- small, immature
fruits may just rot.