Every Gardener Should Grow This Plant In Their Garden! Here's Why!! (Chayote - Choko - Mirliton)

Gardening at home allows you to grow rare and unique plants like the chayote that you may have otherwise not be able to enjoy. Give this abundant grower try. You'll be happy you did!

[@redgingerbreadpam]

I love making hot & spicy pickles from these squash. As Cajuns, we call these Mirlitons. Delicious with our Gumbos & Rice & Gravies

[@plantabundance]

Love it! I just learned somethin' new. Cheers!

[@yashikaokon]

Yes, mirlitons....so good!

[@redgingerbreadpam]

@@plantabundance Awesome. Gives me an idea to do a video in late fall because that's when they're available here in abundance around Thanksgiving/Christmas in South Louisiana

[@Brajesvari_108]

Mexican markets also carry chayotes. From my experience they are biannual in my California garden, the first year they usually don't produce, but the second year they go crazy! Harvest in October and store in a cool place!

[@plantabundance]

Good info! Thanks for sharing!

[@smallhomestead2897]

This is the same with the upo plant. You can eat the shoots. leaves, vines. We do all the time. Enjoy!

[@jam_is_jammin]

You can eat the tips?! My coworker gave me a chayote squash last year. I planted it and it has been taking over. I’ve been pruning it and throwing the tops in the compost. You just blew my mind, neighbor. I’m in Solano county.

[@enchilada1956]

Lol, my neighbor gave me this to grow and I forgot what it was called, but now I know. It is a prodigious grower and taking over everything in it's path!

[@southernroots2229]

I have tried to grow zucchini and yellow summer squash several years and the boar worms always kill the plants. I have bought and eaten chayote squash before and it’s really good so this sounds like a solution for me to be able to grow squash here in Houston,Texas

[@susannahfox7188]

Use a turmeric solution on the leaves......

[@trishrogers2597]

I also don’t have success with zucchini I am in Conroe going to try this love that entire plant is edible. Growing sweet potatoes and the leaves are wonderful wilted in a little butter oil or bacon grease Being able to use more of the plants Just makes sense !

[@MA-gw5kw]

Same here in East Texas! Definitely going to give this one a try.

[@maricampari3970]

Woah.... This squash looks.... Very feminine.... 😉

[@holistichealthandnature3709]

lol true

[@susannahfox7188]

The "3 sisters" kept most indigenous alive in all 3 of the Americas.......corns, beans (or peas), and squash. They grow together seamlessly, and provide elements to the soil that benefit the others in the trio.

[@calittlegarden-3311]

O my God. Since I have a chaoyta plant. I can harvest one bundle of shot each day. I don't need spend any money for green leaf vegetables. But I plant in wrong spot and it grow way so bigger. So I am planning to grow one at different location and pull out what I have now. I cooked in string fly or on noodles soup.

[@budokaii]

They have those chayote squash at the 99cent only store

[@plantabundance]

Nice!

[@peace-and-quiet]

That's good to know!

[@calikellyr]

I'm pretty sure my daughter made 'apple' pie with one!! It was delicious!

[@rockreader4298]

Thanks Dan, for introducing this unusual plant to many that have seen, though never grew or tasted it. Please do a more in-depth video on it. I would enjoy seeing a vid on how you would prepare and cook it and know if and how you eat the fruit itself, or simply allow it to sprout. I really enjoy when you and Alice together, prepare and cook what you grow, plus give us recipes. God bless you both. ( :

[@shawnlivers2757]

God NEVER ceases to amaze me!

[@dianaregallis7488]

Sounds great ✨I visit A Vietnamese market ,so I'll surly ask . Thanks for the tip 💜

[@susananderson9619]

It looked like a vulva lol

[@maricampari3970]

Hehe yes I agree. The Coochie Squash is a better name.

[@susananderson9619]

Lmfao 😂

[@alisham4902]

I just came to the comments to see who else mentioned this.😂 The only reason I watched the video, but this was interesting.

[@1010JenFriend]

@@maricampari3970 bahahhahahh coochie squash hahahhahhaahah

[@avachannel4926]

THANK YOU MARI CAMPARI!!! I was reading through the comments ... waiting .... and thinking I must be the only one!!!

[@gewgulkansuhckitt9086]

I tried growing them in south Alabama using ones bought at Walmart. Most rotted before sprouting and the ones that grew ended up being very unproductive. I've read that the ones grown around Louisiana might be better suited to growing in the U.S. as the ones from Walmart are likely more tropical. Maybe the Asian market option is better.

[@callumc6593]

I remember that my grandmother would grow this in our garden in the uk when when the plant sets fruit it would sometimes produce fruit that have spikes on them so if your growing this and the plant sets fruit be careful.

[@AAHomeGardening]

Callum c, oh yes, some has painful spikes I have several growing in the UK as well

[@angelau1194]

We call them chokos in Australia : )

[@ZanddyH]

I looove chayote, and live in an area in Mexico were some people grow it. I just can seem to keep my plants healthy. We have a large yard, but all the cucurbites catch fungus pretty quick. I've tried different methods, but they all get covered with powdery mildew. Cucumbers and squash yield lots of fruit before dying, but chayote takes a while to produce so, for several years, the plants have died before even flowering. I changed spots, tried containers, changed the container and soil, but still, fungus! Maybe it's the weather? We have rainy summers, very humid, not super hot. But chayotes are so delicious!

[@shawnlivers2757]

What wonderful information, thank you!

[@maureenpeterson2070]

In Australia we call them chokos. Usually grown over the chook house. They can be very prolific. I make delicious pickles, mock apple, chips ,bake boil, soups, sliced thinly and cooked in cream and garlic and or covered in herbs and fried or baked. So many ways to use these......they are currently $11.00 a kilo here

[@almac9203]

It is crazy because I have one of those plants and I never get anything except one year that it went bananas and I had so many fruit I didn't know what to do with them. I am in New Zealand so the weather isn't quite right for consistent fruit production but when the conditions are right it just goes!

[@koreannederr5593]

Squash, summer varieties almost impossible here in Hawaii🙄 trying kabocha and spaghetti next

[@tamararoberts9307]

I've never heard of this plant before, so very interesting 🤔 👍

[@anapaulacrawford5837]

Very common here in southeast texas. Great squashe to grow ..

[@MR-vd9zd]

Chayote is very popular in my country Mx. It's great with butter, beef soup, etc...Enjoyed your videos. My son is very drawn to the Agriculture industry and I think he is right 🙏🙏

[@karibu1465]

It grew wonderful in Tansania. Usambara Mountain.

[@jimginnyohio]

I always learn new stuff from you! I have never heard of this plant before? Thank you.

[@Emaniuz]

Looking at the thumbnail, i should probably grow 10 or 20 of those. 😂

[@ony583]

Don't be gready, I'm sure you could make do with one, just wash it and reuse it.

[@kimbeaux75]

What is it with dudes always saying just the tip?! 🤣

[@avachannel4926]

It reminded me of Marie's sculpture on Everybody Loves Raymond.

[@HzFvr]

😂I thought I was the only one 👍

[@hallbillyhomestead]

I came here to say this.

[@wsuatheart]

I may have to try this in my garden.

[@LivingMiracleHomestead]

Thanks for the great tips on the coyote Dan.

[@TheMalcolms7]

Honestly That thumbnail though 😅 I'm growing them too here in the UK. It's a race against time because it is getting cold now as we enter autumn 🍁

[@corinnewatts6683]

In Australia we call them choko. Their subtle flavour makes them suitable for adding to anything and when they are young and fresh can be eaten without peeling raw sliced in salads or cooked. A very underrated vegetable imho.

[@lindanelson4963]

I have never successfully sprouted a chayote 🥺 I've tried different methods and they always rot before it sprouts😭 is it possible to buy seeds? I tried once before years ago and got scammed they sent me sqush seeds but small white ones like from zucchini or pumpkin, but definitely not chayote.

[@talitasmit9337]

It is called a Chu Chu in South Africa

[@graftingfruittree23]

Good morning ❤️

[@pollyjazz]

From my own experience they fruit better if you plant 2 close together. They get all tangled up and become as if just one plant. In my backyard i panted a prickly variety that is sometimes found growing wild. A little harder to handle but taste the same. First year you might get only a few or none at all but the second year you will be giving them away. If you let it spread it becomes quite prolific. Mine was attacked by powdery mildew and spider mites and I still got a pretty good haul. Also interesting is that you can leave them on the vine and harvest as necessary. They just get bigger. I've seen some as big as melons! Don't forget you can also eat the seed which is delicious, and it is better to use gloves while peeling them because the skins secrete a substance that some people can be sensitive to. I cut it close to the ground just before winter and it just keeps coming back every spring. Usually get some to eat late August ,September , October and if it's still warm even November. In my country they are typically called chu-chu or xu-xu😋. (Pronounced shoo- shoo)

[@nicktroutt6584]

I live in Haiti and this squash is widely consumed here, but I didn't know the whole plant was edible. Thanks!

[@kingskid4804]

It's a very good plant..nice 👌❤

[@Ojb_1959]

I’ve read that one single plant can cover a quarter of an acre with the right conditions.

[@ricardocalderon9823]

Chayote is a common ingredient in Guatemalan caldo de res (beef soup)

[@robinmarie5180]

Can it take a frost?

[@sheilaa7401]

Thanks Dan for that good advice, hope to get one of those where you said to find them, thank you and God bless you and your family for all the good tips and helps.

[@thelastcrusaders6317]

strong pass

[@ruthrodriguez3473]

I planted a chayote and it has not given me fruit yet. Thanks for i the information!

[@jojozepofthejungle2655]

Hardly got to see the thing. Like cutting it, which part to eat etc...

[@iamthewelcher]

Reminds me of something I've seen before... hmm...🤔

[@JohnG-cj1ii]

Click bait, looks like a vulva.

[@lightbuilder2673]

I was looking for THIS comment. Glad I’m not the only one who thought this!

[@DancingL704]

Interesting confirmation; the other day while I was at the market , I was looking at a chayote. I didn’t get it, but apparently I should of. I will definitely be picking one up, the next time I’m at the grocery store

[@alsolark3029]

Interesting. I think I saw those at a Hispanic grocery store too.

[@markm8188]

How much room does it take up? Does it need a trellis?

[@jojozepofthejungle2655]

Great because I hate beans, not the taste, just the strings.

[@buthoolmerchant850]

I been looking for a plant can’t find one.

[@terrieholloway9066]

Thanks!

[@sevenwonders1717]

So, if you Get "Fruit" WHAT does it taste like?

[@sevenwonders1717]

Do you eat it raw, or cook it?

[@susannahfox7188]

@@MadTracker Curious - what is the origin of the name "mirliton?" Sounds like it has a back story?

[@KHACHANNEL]

I like this

[@jakemelinko]

Wall mart has these

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Will it grow in zone 8?

[@rozhill4837]

Wait a,minute...what does the fruit taste like? Don't tell me it tastes like a bean.

[@Brajesvari_108]

It taste like a non starchy potato, amazing in soups, battered and deep fried, or simply boiled with some salt and pepper and some butter!

[@rozhill4837]

@@Brajesvari_108 Thank you. Good info, now I just have to procure an Asian seed catalog. Thanks again.

[@1010JenFriend]

looks like a 😏

[@susannahfox7188]

Thanks brother Dan, living in South America, I wasn't sure what these plants were about. Now I know, and I'm a gonna try some!

[@TheWordofGodGardenMore]

❤❤❤

[@Wisdomseeker_777]

My grandparents had vines covering the entire rear section of their house! Lol. We would all go to get our mirliton (New Orleans) from her! I'd love to grow it here in south texas, just not sure if it would be able to handle the heat.

[@pattyclarkson3]

Speaking of ceanothus, I bought one at your recommendation last year. Sadly, I didn't pay attention because this is a low growing,ground cover type of plant rather than a bush. It has not grown all that much over the year and I haven't seen any flowering yet. Where did you get yours?

[@chrischen9589]

I tried different ways to germinate and were not successful. Kitchen counter, window sill with water underneath and outside. Which type of fruit did you used? Small or big one? Will try it next year

[@vickilewis8792]

😊

[@AAHomeGardening]

Love chayote Have several growing at the moment, here in the UK

[@ube4856]

what zone are you in?

[@plantabundance]

5d

[@prkremer]

Do you eat it by licking it until it’s gone?

[@mindfulgratitude3041]

Videos not playing

[@hardyrichards5360]

What zone are you guys in?