Sechium edule

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