Lycium barbarum

Lycium barbarum

Akebia quinata

Akebia quinata

Sechium edule

Choyote, Choko, Christophine, Cho-Cho, Sayote, Pipinola, Pear Squash, Madeira Marrow, Vegetable Pear, Chuchu, Chou Chou, Sousou, Mirliton, Militon
Size
3-4L tall pot
Availability: In stock
£8.99
Quick Overview
  • Tropical climbing marrow
  • Vigorous growth
  • Large foliage and pale heart-shaped fruits
  • Frost tender annual
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Sechium edule, Chayote - or Choko as it is known in New Zealand and Australia - is a vigorous tropical marrow with edible heart-shaped fruit and large cordate foliage with distinctive pointed lobes. Originally from southern Mexico and Guatemala, it is cultivated all over the tropics and warm temperate regions where its very prolific fruit-bearing capacity gives a welcome no-fuss addition to the kitchen. It is very frost-tender and must be planted out after all danger from the last frosts has passed. It is an extremely vigorous climbing plant and this rapid and extensive growth means some thought must be given to where it is placed. In New Zealand and Australia it is often grown along the fence between properties and in the UK the best solution will be to rig up some overhead wires for it scramble along. It also requires a long growing season which means that sizable plants will need to be grown indoors to maximize a good start. Once transplanted they need to be watered well and fed regularly to ensure a crop before the end of summer and the colder nights of autumn set in.

Even if they don't fruit for you, they are an exotic addition to the kitchen garden and if grown as an ornamental scrambler in the exotic garden they are perfect for creating a lush and tropical atmosphere with the added bonus of the possibility of their unusual fruit.

Plants supplied in large tall pots


Additional Information

Order Cucurbitales
Family Cucurbitaceae
Sub-Family Cucurbitoideae
Synonyms Chayota edulis, Sechium americanum, Sechium edule subsp. edule, Sicyos edulis
Geographical Origin Mexico, Guatemala
Cultivation Rich, well-drained soil. Plant out after all danger of frost has passed. Water and liquid feed regularly throughout the growing season. Train growth along wires, along a fence, wall or trellis or over a pergola
Eventual Height 2-4m up a support
Eventual Spread Vigorous growth spreading many metres in one season
Hardiness Tender. Grown as an annual vegetable
Sechium edule
Choyote, Choko, Christophine, Cho-Cho, Sayote, Pipinola, Pear Squash, Madeira Marrow, Vegetable Pear, Chuchu, Chou Chou, Sousou, Mirliton, Militon
Size
3-4L tall pot
Availability: In stock
£8.99
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend
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