Chayote (christophine): Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you start chayote under cover?
Start your chayote under cover using a whole, healthy, firm fruit, ideally already beginning to sprout. Its large seed develops inside the fruit: do not extract it like a dry seed or soak the fruit. In a cool climate, a protected start gives it extra time, but a season that is too short can still limit production.
Choose a sufficiently wide pot with drainage holes and fertile, free-draining compost. Lay the fruit on its side at a slight angle and partly cover its base, leaving the shoot emergence area clear. Hold it steady without compressing the shoot or young roots. Water moderately to moisten the compost without keeping the fruit in saturated soil.
Keep the pot warm and bright. Avoid cold nights and sealing it in an airtight bag, which traps excessive moisture. Check regularly that the fruit is not rotting and water can drain away. Once the stem starts extending, provide a small support. Then gradually acclimatise the plant to sunshine and wind before planting outdoors, only after frosts have finished and warmth is reliable.
How do you plant chayote (christophine)?
How do you harvest chayotes (christophines)?
