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Growing Chayote Squash in a Container

Growing Chayote Squash in a container garden:

Growing chayote squash is a win win project. It can be eaten from the root to the fruit and makes a lovely live covering for a gazebo as well. This unique native plant from central America has an interesting history. At one time it was considered as a replacement for the invasive kudzu vine which was introduced as a forage plant for cattle [ which proved to be a bad move 🙂 ]

Chayote is a rather bland flavored squash like a lot of winter squash are but readily take on the flavor of spices which makes them a desirable addition to a meal. It remains crisp after cooking and has the flesh color of Granny Smith apples. During the depression , some bakers made them into apple pies as the texture cooked was almost the same and they readily accept the spices and sugar.

The propagation methods are wildly cool also! You plant the whole fruit AFTER it develops a sizable sprout. The squash is a flattish semi hard lime green pear shaped fruit and the sprout comes from the end that has an indentation . Some says it looks like a butt crack but I think it looks like a grimacing old man’s mouth

Chayote is starting to yellow and darken in areas but still very solid. Leaves look like they will be small too
Chayote is starting to yellow and darken in areas but still very solid. Leaves look like they will be small too
Sheila laid the chayote fruit in a hanging ivy basket with a light on it and they are sprouting nicely. Temps in house are low 70's
Sheila laid the chayote fruit in a hanging ivy basket with a light on it and they are sprouting nicely. Temps in house are low 70’s
It seems the chayote sprout is going to disconnect from the straps on the side but planting instructions say plant whole fruit
It seems the chayote sprout is going to disconnect from the straps on the side but planting instructions say plant whole fruit
Our chayote sprout about 3 weeks old
Our chayote sprout about 3 weeks old
Chayote sprout about 3 weeks old
Sheila’s chayote sprout about 3 weeks old

After the sprout gets a little length on it the fruit will show signs of aging and is ready to plant. Sheila put it in a 5 gallon bucket in our bucket garden. Since the plant can reach lengths of 50+ feet it will require a lot of fertilizer we are sure. At this point the plant shows no sign of how big the leaves will be 🙂

Leaves a little tattered due to cold and wind. They are furry feeling and thick.
Leaves a little tattered due to cold and wind. They are furry feeling and thick.
They are starting to tendril and climb pretty good. Temps are low 70's daytime and low 50's nights now.
They are starting to tendril and climb pretty good. Temps are low 70’s daytime and low 50’s nights now.
One has 1 main stem and another has 3 now! Leaves are very thick. Thicker than spinach for sure.
One has 1 main stem and another has 3 now! Leaves are very thick. Thicker than spinach for sure.
Sheila forgot when she planted the chayote in the picture. We think about the middle of February. They are really growing now though
Sheila forgot when she planted the chayote in the picture. We think about the middle of February. They are really growing now though
2017 garden start. It is April and still some chilly nights. Chayote in the far right hand of picture.
Chayote squash. They will not do to well in the 5 gallon buckets so we are starting some in larger tubs.

Here are some great articles and recipes for this sturdy easy to grow food:

https://theawl.com/eat-the-chayote-e65e2cb0648c#.5507ryuh3

Will continue later

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