When is the right time to plant chayote?

Buddha's hand , also known as gas-palm melon, thousand Buddha's hands, etc., is a melon vegetable with a crisp taste and rich nutrition. Its planting time and method are crucial to obtaining high-quality and high-yield chayote. So when is the best time to plant chayote? Let’s take a look below.

1. When is the best time to plant chayote?

Chayote prefers a warm and humid climate and is not very demanding on soil, but fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam is most suitable. Therefore, the planting time should be determined according to local climatic conditions.

In most areas, chayote is grown mainly in spring. Specifically, it starts in March and lasts until May. During this period, there is plenty of sunshine and the temperature gradually rises, which is conducive to the growth and development of chayote.

In the south and tropical regions, due to the warmer climate, chayote can also be planted in autumn. Autumn planting usually takes place between August and September. At this time, the temperature is moderate, which is conducive to the growth of chayote and the ripening of the fruit.

2. How to plant chayote

1. Site selection and land preparation

Choose fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam for planting. Before planting, the land should be leveled and deeply plowed, and sufficient base fertilizer, such as compound fertilizer and decomposed farmyard manure, should be applied to provide sufficient nutrition.

2. Germination treatment

Before planting, chayote seeds need to be germinated. Soak the seeds in warm water for 12-24 hours to allow them to fully absorb water and swell. Then, take out the seeds, wrap them in a wet cloth, and place them in a warm environment of 25-30℃ to germinate. When the seeds turn white, they can be sown.

3. Sowing and raising seedlings

When sowing, you can use the method of broadcasting or hole sowing. When sowing in holes, dig the holes first, put some well-rotted farmyard manure at the bottom of the holes, then put the seeds in, cover with soil and water. When sowing, spread the seeds evenly on the field, then cover with a thin layer of soil and compact lightly. During the seedling raising period, the soil should be kept moist, and attention should be paid to insect prevention and weeding. When the seedlings grow to a certain size, they can be transplanted.

4. Transplanting and planting

Before transplanting, water the seedbed thoroughly and then transplant with soil. When transplanting, pay attention to keeping the row spacing and plant spacing moderate to facilitate ventilation, light transmission and growth of the plants. After transplanting, apply an appropriate amount of fertilizer and water in time to promote the growth of the plants.

5. Field management

During the growth process of chayote, good field management should be done. Including timely loosening of soil, weeding, fertilization, watering, insect control, etc. At the same time, attention should also be paid to building frames and guiding vines so that the plants can increase yields and make full use of light energy.

6. Pest and disease control

During its growth, chayote may be attacked by some diseases and pests. Such as anthracnose, powdery mildew, aphids, etc. For these diseases and pests, we should adopt the principle of prevention first and comprehensive control. The occurrence of diseases and pests can be prevented by applying fertilizers properly, selecting disease-resistant varieties, and promptly removing diseased and damaged plants. Once pests and diseases occur, biological or chemical control methods should be taken in time to avoid affecting yield and quality.

In short, when planting chayote, you must pay attention to choosing a good planting time and method, and at the same time do a good job of field management and pest and disease control to obtain high-quality and high-yield chayote.