Should I choose Achocha?

[veggiechicken]

Achocha seeds are being offered in the HSL seed list. I've read numerous threads on here about growing achocha but what do you really think about its taste? I like the thought of a "prolific and rampant climber" running amok along my boundaries but will I use the fruits?
Should I use up one of my 6 choices on Achocha or is a more conventional veg a better choice?
What does the team think?

[gan heather]

I grew it this past summer and I couldn't get mine to grow "prolifically and rampantly"! (Maybe I'm just a bad gardener?) It did produce some fruits which were tasty. I fried them up and had them on pizza (tasted a bit like bell peppers). I think I saved seed from them and I could send a few to you if you wanted to try it, but not use up a precious HSL slot. PM if you want and I'll have a rummage around...

[veggiechicken]

That would brilliant if you could find some seeds, gan heather. The HSL choices are precious and I don't really want to squander one on something that may not earn its keep! Will PM you. Is there anything you want that I may have in exchange?

[zazen999]

No - Save your HSL choices for other stuff; these are rampant and I'm betting lots of us have these stashed away somewhere that you could have...I know I do.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Zaz. That's what I thought as they seem to produce lots of fruit and seeds. Gan Heather has already offered me some! If I may I'll keep your offer in mind in case GH can't find them!

[gan heather]

Found some. Just PM me and I'll send you my address so you can send me a SAE.

[veggiechicken]

Will do. Many thanks Heather

[zazen999]

Thanks Zaz. That's what I thought as they seem to produce lots of fruit and seeds. Gan Heather has already offered me some! If I may I'll keep your offer in mind in case GH can't find them!

There will be loads in the Virtual Seed Parcel - so if anyone else wants them - then they will be there.

[chris]

There is some in the parcel (at least part of the collection I have - no idea what zaz's half contains!), I saw some the other day when going through it!

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Chris - they seem to be everywhere! Are we in danger of being overrun by Achochas? I thought they were unusual - wrong again!

[vicky]

They are unusual, but have loads of seeds and once you taste them you'll realise why we're not too fussed about giving the seeds away! As a plus point they were impressive unusual plants!

[HeyWayne]

I'm not sure I've ever grown anything prolific-ly...

[Alison]

I got some as an extra off a Garden Organic stall, first year grew them outside and they were rubbish, last year grew them in the polytunnel and they went mad. Quite nice but not that exciting. And more importantly, am now desperate to get home and see if my catalogue is there!

[veggiechicken]

Thanks for your opinions of achocha. Try anything once - that's me! I'll stick them in odd corners and see what happens. Maybe a pot in the greenhouse too. With luck there'll be even more seeds going spare next year!

[JeremyB]

I'd definitely recommend Achocha, which I grew for the first time last year (from the Heritage Seed Library) on my allotment and in Grapes Hill Community Garden in Norwich. It did especially well in the community garden's rich soil (3 - 4 metres growth) and less (up to 2 metres) on the sandy loam of my allotment.

Seed is really easy to save and I see you have a couple of offers already; I also have some. So you may like to use up your HSL seed allowance with something else.

I've just written a piece on my blog about Achocha, which you may find useful: Achocha, Cyclanthera pedata | Jeremy Bartlett's LET IT GROW blog.