what do i do with?

[raine]

Hi all, today i was given a cho cho by a fellow allotmenteer. i kinda like it and am interested in giving it a go next year. Trouble is i have no idea how to grow it. There is a seed in the fruit i was given. Can I dry it out or should i buy new? I was told it's a kind of vine but any help gratefully appreciated!
Raine

[veg4681]

Raine,

I didn't know you could grow cho cho over here in UK??? Did he grow them in a greenhouse or under cover? They are easily grown in Asia (mostly southern I know of) and of course the West Indies. I've never come across the cho cho seed in any of the seed suppliers but I can't imagine how else you save the seed than just letting it dry.

If you want to be on the safe side, why don't you ask this fellow allotmenteer to save 1-2 more seeds for you so you have more than one seeds to experiment with next year. For growing, I think you would treat it same as other fruiting vegetables like cue, tomatoes, aubergine etc.

[veg4681]

Just been doing a quick research on the internet and searching by its other name Chayote (aka Choko), apparently you let the whole fruit sprout!!! No wonder, no seeds on sale. Google search will give you some answer, though American.

[raine]

Actually, that's just what he told me, he said that it's a little bit like garlic and the fruit sprouts from the top, then you train it a bit like a runner bean. He was surprised that it had grown over here (he is Jamaican) but he's had a great crop and so have other people on his allotment (global warming methinks!) Me and OH followed his advice and had it thinly sliced as a salad extra (really good, bit like a crunchy cucumber) but he, and others said that it was almost better cut into chunks and put into casseroles and stews where it takes on a lot of flavour. He started it off in March but will have to find out how!
I'll keep you posted just in case anyone is interested!
Thanks
Raine

[veg4681]

Apparently if you train the vine onto a tall tree, they just climb and climb so I imagine the vine must be very tough. Also they may be perennial so you could cut it right down and they spring up the following year provided you protect them properly from frost e.g. covering them well during the cold wintry season.

What surprised me was that they say the plant can produce upto 100 of fruits!!! Accordinly the fruit (Americans also call them vegetable pear) have good storing quality too.

I might try getting the fruit for sprouting from Birmingham market where we have few West Indian veggie stall holders (selling stuffs like yam, topiaca, sweet potatoes, cooking banana). I do agree that they're nicer cooked in chunks as you would use swede or turnips in stews/casseroles and don't forget curry too.

Do keep us posted on the London grown cho-cho miracle. Who would have thought, eh?