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Vegetables

Chayote

Sechium edule

Chayote
Photo: Prathyush Thomas · GFDL 1.2 · Wikimedia Commons

A very productive perennial climber with mild green fruit; common in northern Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.

Light
Full sun (6 h or more)
Height
5–10 m
Watering
Plenty: almost daily in summer, never waterlogged
Soil
fertile, rich in organic matter
Edible?
Yes: the fruit
How to plant
Plant the young plant with its crown at soil level, 4 m apart.
Care
Plant the whole sprouted fruit with the tip showing. Needs a strong pergola; one plant feeds a family.

Calendar by climate

Warm coast
Mild Mediterranean
Southern interior
Continental interior
Cold interior and uplands
Atlantic
Canary Islands (subtropical)
SowPlantHarvestPruneFeedTreat

Dates are for growing outdoors. You can start seedlings earlier indoors or in a greenhouse, but plant them out only once the frosts are over.

Feeding and doses

Mild Mediterranean

  • Well-rotted manureApr4–6 kg / m²

Pest prevention and doses

Mild Mediterranean

Not needed.

How easy to grow by climate

  • Warm coastEasy
  • Mild MediterraneanEasy
  • Southern interiorNeeds regular careExtreme summer heat
  • Continental interiorDifficultFrost and a short season
  • Cold interior and uplandsNot recommended outdoorsHard, long frosts
  • AtlanticEasy
  • Canary Islands (subtropical)Easy

Plants in the same category

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