This vining plant grows quite large and needs between 120 and 150 frost-free days to reach full maturity.
Adding a cattle panel trellis or other support can help keep your vines from sprawling.
Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of bright sun.
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Like other members of the Cucurbit family, chayote squash grows best inrich, well-draining soilthat holds water well.
Asoil pH between 6.0 and 6.8is best.
Place your squash at a 45-degree angle so that the top stem reaches just to the soil line.
‘small sugar’ pumpkins.Credit:Jason Donnelly / Better Homes & Gardens
This plant can also grow in partial shade, although vines will produce fewer squash.
Soil and Water
Chayote will grow best in rich,well-draining soil.
When planting your squash, water the soil well and then dont water again until your sprout emerges.
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Throughout the growing season, water your chayote deeply only once, every 10 to 14 days.
Thriving in heat and even some humidity, chayote needs about 30 frost-free days after flowering to produce fruit.
Gardeners in cooler regions can grow chayote in pots and then bring plants indoors when temperatures drop.
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Fertilizer
Chayote squash doesnt need a lot of fertilizer and too much nitrogen can reduce fruit yield.
Frequently Asked Questions
A well-maintained chayote vine can produce between 60 and 80 fruit per year.
No, chayote squash require pollinators to produce fruit.
Plants like flowering fennel, chives and flowering dill all readily increase pollinator activity and boost harvest yields.
