salads lunch food : staple
• perennial climbing vine , vigorous cucurbit species, commonly known as “caihua” or “chayote”; grows up to 5 meters, with slender stems, tendrils, deeply lobed leaves, small greenish-white flowers, and fleshy, hollow fruits.
• roots: fibrous, shallow-rooting system.
• leaves: large, palmate, deeply lobed, with soft hairs.
• flowers: small, greenish-white, clustered; monoecious (separate male and female flowers).
• fruits: elongated, hollow, green pods; edible when immature; becomes fibrous upon maturity.
• bark/stem: slender, green, flexible stems, covered with fine hairs.
• timber: none (herbaceous vine)
• environment:: prefers subtropical to tropical, moist climates; well-drained, fertile soils.
• climate:: warm, humid subtropical or tropical mountain climates without frost.
• sun:: 600–900 W/m²
• water:: 800–1200 mm
• humidity:: 60–85%
• fog-resistance:: 60 days
• max-temp:: 35°C
• optimal-temp:: 16–24°C
• min-temp:: 4°C
• wind-damage:: storm , hurricane
• soil:: prefers fertile, organic-rich loam soils with good moisture retention and drainage.
• soil-ph:: 5.5–7.5
• soi-type:: loam , sandy-loam , clay-loam
• spacing:: optimal spacing is 50–100 cm between plants; climbing support needed.
• good-neighbors::
• bad-neighbors::
• max-height:: 500 cm
• max-spread:: 300 cm
• lifecycle
• longevity:: 3–5 years
• germination:: seeds germinate rapidly (7–14 days) at temperatures above 15°C; soaking seeds can accelerate germination.
• seedling:: fast-growing seedlings require protection from extreme weather and herbivores; climb quickly once established.
• mature:: vigorous vine growth; prolific fruiting within 3–4 months after planting; continuous harvesting prolongs productivity.
• death:: plants decline after 3–5 years; sensitive to prolonged drought, frost, or severe pest infestations.
• features :: edible-fruit , fast growing , high-yield , climbing-vine , nutritious
• layer :: vine-layer , understory
• products :: eat , pickle , vegetable , medicinal
Legend:
• High: abundant presence
• Medium: notable presence
• Low: minimal presence
• Trace: very minor detectable amounts
• None: absent or negligible
• operations
• propagate plants :: easily propagated from seeds directly sown into soil or seedlings transplanted after germination; vegetative propagation possible by stem cuttings but less common.
• maintenance :: regular watering, mulching to maintain moisture; periodic pruning to encourage new growth; requires climbing supports; pest monitoring recommended.
• harvest :: fruits harvested young (5–15 cm), when tender and crisp; frequent harvesting promotes extended fruit production; mature fruits become fibrous and less palatable but seeds remain viable.
nutrition values per 100 grams (fresh fruit)
nutrient amount unit % daily value (approx.) -------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------- ------------------------- energy 17 kcal ~1% thiamine (vitamin B1)0.04 mg ~3% riboflavin (vitamin B2)0.04 mg ~3% niacin (vitamin B3)0.5 mg ~3% calcium 14 mg ~1.5% phosphorus 30 mg ~4% iron 0.4 mg ~2.5% potassium 120 mg ~3% water ~93 % –
notes:
chayote fruits are low in calories, fat, and protein, but rich in dietary fiber and vitamin C.
they are valued for their nutritional benefits, aiding digestion and supporting immune function.
typically consumed fresh, cooked, stuffed, or pickled.
cooking methods like boiling slightly decrease vitamin C, dietary fiber, and mineral content.
cooking softens fibers, improving digestibility and palatability.
nutritionally remains beneficial, retaining most micronutrients.