4 Department Circular 286, U. S. Dept, of Agriculture. 
CULTURAL DIRECTIONS. 
The ehayote can be grown as an annual much farther north than 
as a perennial, since the roots are rather easily killed by freezing. 
As many as 50 fruits were produced on a single vine as far north as 
Washington, D. C., in an unusual season when the first autumn 
frost was delayed until November 11. As a perennial, however, the 
ehayote has not succeeded much farther north than Charleston, S. C. 
On the Pacific coast its cultivation seems to be confined to the 
southern coastal portions. In general, it may be said that the 
vegetable is adapted for culture in those regions where the ground 
does not freeze more than an inch or two. 
Soil .—Chayotes grow best in a rich well-drained sandy loam, but 
will do well in any good garden soil and in well-drained muck 
soils. 
Planting .—Chayotes are usually planted in the spring as soon as 
danger from frost is past. In southern Florida it is possible to 
plant in the fall provided a thick loose mulch is applied in frosty 
and freezing weather to protect the tender young plants. 
Preparatory to planting the chayotes, the ground should be dug 
or plowed deep and should be especially well worked where the 
fruits are to be planted. The entire fruits are planted, one in a 
hill, in rows about 12 feet apart. In order that the roots in large 
plantings may have as large an area as possible, it is advisable to 
plant in staggered rows. The ehayote should not be planted deep. 
It is customary to place the fruit on its side with the broad end 
sloping slightly downward and the smaller or stem end left slightly 
exposed. If the seed to be planted has sprouted considerably, it is 
best to cut the sprout back to within an inch or two of the fruit. 
Vegetative propagation .—Since chayotes do not always come true 
from seed, it is sometimes desirable to propagate a good variety by 
means of vegetative cuttings. Young shoots are removed with a 
sharp knife, close upon the crown of the plant and while they still 
show a solid tissue throughout. The cuttings are placed in coarse 
sharp sand until well rooted, after which they are potted in the 
ordinary way and grown in the greenhouse until it is desired to plant 
them in the field. If too much vine growth is made before the plants 
are set out, it should be cut or pinched back, in order that strong, 
sturdy plants may be secured. Care should be exercised in trans¬ 
ferring the young plants to the field. The roots should be disturbed 
as little as possible, and the plants should be watered thoroughly if 
the ground is at all dry. 
Cultivation .—Deep cultivation of the young ehayote plants may be 
practiced at first, but as soon as they get well under way roots are 
formed near the surface which are seriously interfered with and 
even destroyed if deep cultivation is continued. Shallow cultivation, 
or in some soils mulching, may now be practiced. Experiments seem 
to indicate that after the plant becomes well established little culti¬ 
vation is necessary. Weeds should be kept down about the plants 
and artificial watering practiced when necessary. A basin or de¬ 
pression should be formed about the plants to receive the water. To 
prevent a too rapid evaporation of the water and the baking of the 
soil, dry soil should be drawn about the plants after each watering, 
