A few weeks ago I planted a perennial gourd called a Chayote, and in this brief period of time it has displayed the durability I’d hoped for in this enduring class of plants. If the squirrels and rabbits are too numerous to be controlled and starved of other edibles by drought (which they are), then I need plants that can defend themselves or take a hit.
The Chayote can take a hit.
This cucurbit resembles a large pear that’s been smashed a little, creating a gnarly fold that tucks inward and runs along the base of the fruit. Inside sits a single, edible seed reminiscent of an artichoke heart. The Chayote is often referred to as a squash since it shares so many attributes with this plant to which it is related. I bought one for 69 cents at a market — just any old one out of a pile shipped from Mexico — and set the whole gourd in a dark, cool, dry cupboard to germinate. In a week’s time the fold parted a little, and an albino shoot sprouted and grew upward, despite the absence of light to direct it.
It had grown to about eight inches before I got it in the ground (six is better). I left only the tip of the vine exposed, yet within a few hours it had been gnawed into the earth by some animal and dug at. I fenced it off anyway and gave it regular waterings, and within two weeks a healthy, green vine had developed, leafed out, and sent tendrils searching for something to climb.
The tough, whole fruit planted deep proved key. A typical, annual squash seed would have been eaten with the rest of the immature vine since it is planted at a depth of only an inch or so, and even if it had survived the nibbling, it likely wouldn’t have had the energy to re-sprout.
If it makes it, this Central American native will become a robust, 30-foot vine producing heavy loads of crisp, yet mild-flavored fruits that can be substituted for summer squash in any recipe. At the end of the season, the vine will die back, then grow again each year without the need for replanting.
And with any luck, it will stay tough.
This doesn’t really relate to the topic, but I’m excited and wanted to share! I picked 6 pea pods yesterday, yay!!! I think I’m going to roast them with some broccoli [store bought, but our broccoli is looking promising and should be ready to harvest next month] and enjoy them tonight for dinner!!
Excellent! We’ve been stockpiling our peas for split pea soup — we need two cups, which ends up being a lot of peas.
Fun! Can’t wait to visit the new vine. Hey…let’s get to work on that coop.
I’ve discovered that you can’t order chicks until February, so I’ve pushed coop construction back until winter break. But I’ve been researching and designing a sweet living-roof coop. As soon as we teachers get another well deserved multi-week vacation, it’s on.
I LOVE chayote! i planted 2 and they have grown like CRAZY! we now have chayote coming out of our ears, i’m always experimenting with new recipes (some photos are here: http://gringaenparaiso.blogspot.com/2009/10/eclectic-harvest.html)
Hope you have as much luck!
liz