How to plant chayote when it sprouts

1. Heat preservation and storage

Chayote is usually planted around the Qingming Festival. If it sprouts before that, it needs to be stored in a warm place. Since it is afraid of cold, it will be frostbitten at 5-7℃, so the temperature should be controlled between 8-10℃. It can be placed in a freeze-proof cardboard box indoors, with the buds facing upwards. The cardboard box cannot be closed to avoid affecting its breathing.

2. Sowing

Since the chayote has already sprouted, the germination step is omitted and it can be sown directly. If you are planting in the ground, you should first deep plow the soil and sprinkle some farmyard manure as base fertilizer. If you are planting in a pot, choose a large pot and mix sandy soil and garden soil to make the potting soil. Dig a hole on the soil surface, plant the melon seeds in the hole, cover them with soil, and water them.

3. Seedling cultivation and maintenance

When the chayote sprouts, it enters the seedling raising stage. At this time, the temperature needs to be kept between 20-25℃, while also giving it sufficient light and ensuring good ventilation. Keep 2-3 young shoots on the vine and remove all the others. After 4-5 leaves have grown, the top bud needs to be removed to promote the growth of side buds.

4. Vine pruning

When the bitter melon grows a little bigger, it needs to be guided and pruned. It has strong climbing ability and grows very fast. When the vine grows to 40 cm, you can use a bamboo pole or rope to guide it to grow on a tree or wall. After that, it is necessary to prune appropriately, remove the side buds at the base, and control its growth direction.