Sechium Species, Chayote, Cho Ko, Cho-Cho, Mirliton, Vegetable Pear

Sechiumedule

Family
Cucurbitaceae (koo-ker-bih-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Sechium (SEK-ee-um)
Species
edule (ED-yew-lee)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Fall/Early Winter
Other Details
Category
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Vegetables
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Vines and Climbers
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Chowchilla, California

Chipley, Florida

Fort Pierce, Florida

Kissimmee, Florida

Merritt Island, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Honomu, Hawaii

Gramercy, Louisiana

Lafayette, Louisiana

Raceland, Louisiana

Brownsville, Texas

Devine, Texas

Red Oak, Texas

Benidoleig, Valenciana

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

7
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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L
L
| February 2014 | positive

Verry nice fruit growing in my garden in Namibia / during this month February i harvest 8 fruits and more is to come.
Easy growing...Read More

P
| January 2014 | positive

I believe this plant has the potential to feed poor people in many or most parts of the of the world.

Locally (Durban, Sou...Read More

A
Devine, TX (Zone 8b) | July 2007 | positive

This squash is tasty julienned, dredged in flour, and fried like small french fries. The vine itself can be rampant, so plant where you ...Read More

J
| July 2006 | positive

This plant grows quite freely in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
It grows practically wild. It is a real treat to eat. It is like a
...Read More

K
K
Kissimmee, FL (Zone 9b) | April 2005 | positive

This is one of the easiest plants to germinate. I just let the fruit start to shrivel at room temperature in the kitchen and it actually...Read More

A
| March 2005 | positive

This plant is known in South Africa as Shoe-Shoe, Sjoe-Sjoe or Tjoe-Tjoe. We are in the Western Cape (Winter rainfall - Temperate) and ar...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | October 2004 | neutral

According to the Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database, there are 6 types (cultivars).
Dark-green-fruited, Pale-green-fruit...Read More

M
Erwin, TN (Zone 7a) | October 2002 | positive

Good to eat and grows well--Plant the whole fruit with the stem end up and exposed.The fruit has some short but sharp thorns on the botto...Read More

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