Chayote.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Perennial vine

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 2 à 4 jours

Taille adulte

10 to 20 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 8 à 11

Floraison

Late summer to autumn

Entretien

Provide a sturdy trellis for the vine to climb as it grows very quickly. Keep the soil consistently moist and watch for wilting during the hottest part of the day. Ensure the plant is protected from frost as it is very sensitive to cold temperatures.

Arrosage

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to support rapid fruit production.

Engrais

Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the active growing season to encourage healthy vine growth.

Taille

Trim back excessive growth to keep the vine manageable and improve airflow.

Rempotage

If growing in a container, move to a larger pot once the roots become crowded.

Sol

Rich, well draining soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.0

Température

10 à 35°C

Humidité

60 à 90%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is generally non-toxic, though the sap may cause temporary skin irritation or numbness.

Enfants

The large, heavy fruits can be a falling hazard if grown on overhead trellises.

Allergènes de contact

The sap contains compounds that can cause temporary skin numbness or irritation upon contact.

Allergènes aéroportés

There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.

Comestibilité

The fruit is edible, but the sap can cause skin numbness if handled in large quantities.

Comment l'identifier

• Pear shaped light green fruit
• Large heart shaped lobed leaves
• Vigorous climbing tendrils
• Small white or cream flowers

Hauteur

3 à 12m

Envergure

2 à 6m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

white, green, 0,5 à 1,5cm

Fruits

green, white, Autumn to winter

Problèmes courants

• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck sap.
• Powdery mildew — A fungal infection causing white dusty spots on leaves.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

Spring

Hivernage

In cooler areas, mulch the base heavily after the foliage dies back to protect the roots from frost. In areas with hard freezes, the plant is typically grown as an annual.

En pot

It requires a very large container of at least 40 liters to accommodate its vigorous root system.

Plant near tall, sturdy crops that can act as a natural trellis for the heavy vines.

Bonnes associations

• Maïs — Corn provides a sturdy structure for the vine to climb.
• Haricot commun — Beans fix nitrogen in the soil which helps the vine grow.

Espèces similaires

• concombre — Both are members of the same family with similar growth habits.

Science

Famille

Cucurbitaceae

Genre

Sechium

Ordre

Cucurbitales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Central and South America

Préservation

This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in warm, humid climates and naturally climbs over other vegetation to reach sunlight.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

culinary vegetable, ornamental vine, ground cover

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How do I plant a chayote?

Simply bury the entire fruit halfway into the soil with the sprout end angled upward.

Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it is a climbing vine that performs best with strong support.

D'où vient le nom

The name Sechium comes from the Greek word for gourd, while edule means edible. Chayote is derived from the Nahuatl word chayotli.

Bon à savoir

• Chayote is a member of the gourd family.
• The roots are also edible and sometimes harvested like potatoes.
• It is a vigorous climber that can cover fences quickly.
• The fruit is often used in soups and stir fries.