The chayote suggests the cucumber rather than any other of the
cultivated plants of the same family, but is a larger and more
vigorous plant, climbing widely by means of numerous branched
tendrils. When grown under ordinary garden conditions the cultural
requirements of the chayote may be said to be two in number: (1) A
somewhat sheltered situation and (2) something to climb upon. While
the vine will not refuse to grow without these advantages, the results
will not be satisfactory. Like many climbing plants, the chayote
is very susceptible to injury from the wind, while, unlike many
Cucurbitaceae, it does not seem to take kindly to creeping upon the
ground, at least in the Tropics. In the different parts of the world
the chayote has been found to grow upon a great variety of soils,
though it is generally considered to thrive best in a loose sandy or
loamy substratum, providing sufficient humus or other fertilizing
material be at hand. Although it has been found possible to secure
plants from the seed when planted alone, or even from the embryo
when carefully extracted from its seed coats, it is the universal
practice to plant the entire fruit. The fruit should be gathered before
fully matured, because of the tendency to germinate. It is like the
cucumber, edible at any stage of growth, and may be picked when large
enough. The chayote is a good shipper and may be shipped in bulk in
vegetable crates, wrapped and well packed; cold storage will not be
necessary.--(Dept. Ag., Div. of Botany 28; P. Rico A. E. S. 7).