How to grow chayote

How to grow chayote

Chayote is a nutritious and crispy vegetable that has attracted much attention in recent years because of its easy cultivation and high yield. This article will introduce the methods of growing chayote in detail, including seed selection, seedling cultivation, planting, field management, and pest and disease control, etc., to help you easily master the techniques of growing chayote.

1. Basic information about chayote

Chayote (scientific name: Sechium edule), also known as gassho melon and longevity melon, is a perennial vine native to Mexico and Central America. The fruit has a unique shape and is rich in vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber. It is suitable for stir-frying, salad dressing or stew.

2. How to grow chayote

1. Seed selection and seedling cultivation

Choose plump, disease- and insect-free chayote seeds and soak them in warm water for 12-24 hours to promote germination. When raising seedlings, the seeds can be buried in moist sand or seedling substrate, and the temperature should be kept at about 25°C. They will germinate in about 7-10 days.

2. Colonization

When the seedlings grow 3-4 true leaves, they can be transplanted. Choose a plot with sufficient sunshine and good drainage. Keep the distance between plants at 1-1.5 meters and the spacing between rows at 2-2.5 meters. Before planting, sufficient base fertilizer needs to be applied, mainly decomposed organic fertilizer.

3. Field management

During the growth period of chayote, attention should be paid to watering, top dressing and trellising. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and topdress with compound fertilizer every 10-15 days during the vigorous growth period. When the vines grow to 30-40 cm, it is necessary to build a bracket or guide the vines to the shelves to facilitate ventilation and light transmission.

4. Pest and disease control

Common diseases and insect pests of chayote include powdery mildew, aphids, and spider mites. The prevention and control methods are mainly agricultural control, combining biological pesticides and chemical pesticides. Regularly clearing weeds in the field and maintaining ventilation and light transmission can effectively reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.

3. Harvest and Storage of Chayote

Chayote can generally be harvested 15-20 days after flowering. When harvesting, choose melons with plump fruits and smooth skin, and cut them with scissors to avoid damaging the vines. After harvesting, chayote can be stored in a cool and ventilated place or refrigerated in the refrigerator. The shelf life can be up to 1-2 weeks.

4. Precautions for planting chayote

1. Chayote likes a warm and humid environment and is not cold-tolerant. Pay attention to anti-freeze in winter.
2. The vines grow rapidly, and they need to be introduced to the shelves in time to avoid entanglement with each other.
3. Avoid continuous cropping and rotate crops to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.
4. Handle with care when harvesting to avoid bruising the fruits.

By following the above steps, you can easily grow high-yield and high-quality chayote. Whether it is home cultivation or large-scale production, chayote is a vegetable variety worth recommending.