Chayote, also known as Hayato melon, Shou melon, etc., is a plant of the genus Chayote of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is native to Mexico, Central America and the West Indies, and is cultivated in the Jiangnan area of ??China. Chayote, as the name suggests, is a plant that looks like a bergamot. It can be used for cooking or as fruit, or it can be planted in the home garden for ornamental use. Because chayote is shaped like two palms clasped together, it has the meaning of Buddhist blessings and has a good meaning. , naturally also welcomed by people. Chayote is comprehensive and rich in nutrients among melon vegetables. Regular consumption is beneficial to enhancing the body's ability to resist diseases. Regular consumption of chayote can be a diuretic and natriuretic, dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. So, do you want to know how to grow chayote? Want to see chayote pictures? Today I will briefly introduce to you how to grow chayote and appreciate chayote pictures.
Introduction to chayote
Chayote (scientific name: Sechium edule), also known as Hayato melon, pumpkin, Shou melon, melon, etc., is a species of the genus Chayote in the Cucurbitaceae family. The plant is native to Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. It was introduced to China in 1915 and is cultivated in the Jiangnan area of ??China. Yunnan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan are the most populous. Yiyuan, Shandong is the largest chayote production base in the country. . Chayote is crisp and packed with nutrients. Each kilogram of fresh melon contains 5 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, 30 grams of fiber, 77 grams of carbohydrates, 220 mg of vitamin C, 0.1 mg of riboflavin, 500 mg of calcium, 320 mg of phosphorus, and 40 mg of iron. Chayote can be used for cooking and can be eaten raw as a fruit. In addition, the melon is shaped like two palms clasped together, which means Buddhist blessings and is very popular among people.
Introduction to chayote planting methods
1. Land preparation: Choose a courtyard or field with a scaffolding position, ventilation and light transmission, and deep soil layer, apply sufficient base fertilizer, and plow deeply to level it. .
2. Seedling cultivation: From around New Year's Day to the Spring Festival, the melon seeds are covered with mulch to raise seedlings. Cover the soil with 2-3 cm. At this time, the soil's field water capacity is maintained at about 60-70%. Too much moisture will easily cause the melon seeds to rot. During the seedling raising period, it is advisable to water the leaves so that they do not wither, and make sure they see sunlight every day to ensure photosynthesis and normal growth. During the seedling and early growth period, if there are too many buds or roots, they should be removed in time. Generally, 2-3 main vines should be retained, and the vines should be strong after climbing to facilitate fruit setting.
3. Transplantation: At the end of the final frost, the melon seedlings can be planted in the intact plot, and a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be applied at the same time to promote the growth of the seedlings.
4. Fertilizer and water management: The soil needs to be warm and moist after transplantation. Avoid watering too much to avoid affecting plant growth. Later, as temperatures rise, growth accelerates. When the temperature reaches 20℃, it enters the peak period and the water demand increases. In addition to natural precipitation, water should be watered in time. In order to reduce water evaporation, crushed rice straw, wheat straw, etc. can be covered around the plants to protect moisture. During the growth period, topdress 2-3 times. The first time is before the chayote is flourishing for a long time. Topdress with organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer. Make a circular ditch 30-40 cm away from the plant. The second time should be before and after the end of the flood season, and apply organic fertilizer, compound fertilizer, plant ash, etc. in a ditch 60-70 cm away from the plant. When the temperature drops to 20°C, another top-dressing fertilizer can be applied according to the growth situation before budding to facilitate the formation and growth of later fruits.
5. Harvesting and storage: Chayote is generally ready for consumption 15 days after it blooms and is fertilized. When the temperature stabilizes over 15°C, chayote stops growing and enters the harvesting period, with the first frost. The harvest must be completed beforehand. Handle them with care when harvesting, wrap them one by one with paper, and when the temperature drops to about 12°C, put them into plastic bags, cartons or other containers, and move them indoors for storage. Generally, in an environment below 10℃, it is suitable to avoid freezing damage. It can be placed until next year's May Day and can be used as needed.
Chayote planting technology
Soil: Chayote does not have strict soil requirements. The soil should be deep, loose, well-drained, rich in organic matter, and neutral sand with good permeability. Soil, loam, and clay loam are most suitable for growing chayote. Regarding fertilizer requirements, nitrogen should not be too much to avoid excessive growth of stems and leaves and few fruits. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied heavily in the middle and later stages.
Moisture: The demand for water is large, especially in the high temperature season from July to August. It is necessary to maintain a high humidity in the air and soil, otherwise, the vines will stop growing and the leaves will turn yellow.
When the soil moisture is insufficient during the flowering and fruiting period, there will be less flowering, more flower drop, low fruit setting rate, and small melons.
Light: Chayote Chayote is a short-day crop. After a certain amount of vegetative growth, it begins reproductive growth under short-day conditions in autumn. The monthly average temperature is around 22°C and the monthly sunshine hours are 170 hours, which is suitable for chayote flowering and fruiting requirements. Therefore, in the south, it is suitable for planting in cool climate mountainous areas.
Temperature: Chayote likes a warm climate with evenly distributed rain, and is intolerant of high temperatures and severe cold. Stems and leaves will suffer freezing damage at 0℃, and all stems and leaves will freeze to death at -3~-5℃. Growth is slow at 10°C, and optimal at 20-25°C. When the monthly average temperature is around 20°C, the daily stem and vine growth is only 2-3cm, while when 25°C and above, the daily stem and vine growth reaches 15-20cm. However, too high a temperature is also unfavorable. Above 35°C, growth is significantly inhibited. The suitable temperature for flowering and fruiting is 15-20℃. Lower than 15℃ or higher than 25℃ will affect flowering and pollination, reduce the fruit setting rate, and also affect the development of melons. When below 5℃, the melon stops enlarging.
Pruning: Chayote flowers and fruits are concentrated, which has a greater impact on the growth of stems and vines. It is necessary to pick them in time to maintain nutrient consumption and facilitate the growth and development of subsequent melons to increase yields.
Fertilization: Chayote grows significantly faster in autumn and enters the vigorous growth period. Fertilizer and water are required to make the above-ground part of the plant grow rapidly and develop multiple side branches, laying a material foundation for more flowers and fruits. During the flowering and fruiting period, the daily transpiration is large and sufficient water and fertilizer are needed. The water is suitable to keep the soil moist. You can spray nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on the leaves 2 to 3 times, or apply decomposed human and animal manure.
Chayote planting time
Chayote is susceptible to frost damage, so be sure to plant it after the frost period. Various places can choose the appropriate planting period according to different climatic conditions. Generally, transplanting is done before and after the May Day Festival. After transplanting, a new high-fat film is sprayed on the surface of the plant to prevent bacterial infection, improve the ability to resist natural disasters, increase the intensity of photosynthesis, and protect the healthy growth of the seedlings.
Editor’s summary: The above is an introduction to the methods of growing chayote and a collection of chayote pictures. I hope it will be helpful to you. According to medical research reports, zinc has a greater impact on children's intellectual development. Children with zinc deficiency have low intelligence. Regular consumption of fodo melon, which contains more zinc, can improve intelligence. Chayote is beneficial to men and women with infertility caused by nutritional reasons, especially for men with declining sexual function.