California Gardening: How to Grow Chayote (Choko) at Home — From Grocery Chayote to Big Harvest

Grow chayote squash from a store-bought chayote! In this full walkthrough I show you how to sprout a grocery chayote, pot it up, build a sturdy trellis, transplant to the garden, and harvest delicious chayote squash. Whether you call it choko, mirliton, christophine or güisquil — this video makes it simple.

What you’ll learn:
• How to choose the best chayote at the store (firm, large, no blemishes).
• Quick sprouting method using a zip-lock bag for viviparous germination.
• Potting, soil mix, and pumice top layer to prevent gnats.
• Building and training a strong trellis for vigorous vines.
• Transplanting tips, watering & fertilizing schedule.
• When and how to harvest chayote squash for best flavor.

Timestamps (use as chapter markers):
00:00 Intro — why grow chayote squash
00:23 Preparing fruits for planting
03:06 Planting
07:17 Harvest
08:24 Ending

Why grow chayote? Chayote squash is easy, productive, and nutritious — packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. From one grocery chayote you can start a vine that produces dozens of sweet, tender chayote squash over a season.

Supplies mentioned:
• One-gallon pots, well-draining potting mix: https://amzn.to/3JD45tT
• Pumice or coarse sand (top dressing)
• Concrete remesh, rebar, EMT conduit for trellis (or any strong trellis): https://amzn.to/3JqjQEv
• Slow-release organic fertilizer + drip irrigation (optional): https://amzn.to/4qGc0ay

Recipe ideas: stir-fry, curries, salads — freshly harvested chayote squash is crisp and mild.

If this helped, hit Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment with your chayote questions or your harvest story. Share with fellow gardeners who want to grow chayote squash at home!
#chayote #gardening #chayotesquash