Choko

Hi all,

I would like to grow choko for my bride (I do not like them) but have not found any in shops that are shooting recently. Have tried to grow in the past but vines were always eaten by pests. Any ideas?

Guess they were hungry Daniel..

If there isn't any sprouting ones just get an unsprouted one and let sit on the cupboard until it starts to sprout.

Ho Ho Mary-Anne. No question about that here.


Trouble is Gail. I don't go to shops if I can help it. I will tell Kerrie to keep her eyes open.

You don't see chokos in shops much. Last time I saw them here was a year or so ago. You might see some at your local markets sometimes.

We didn't lose ours to insects, the neighbour's @#*!* cows ate ours - it was growing on the fence

Annoying eh!

We bought some at markets one day when there with Mary-Anne and Tony. I have also had some from friends and some from shops. I can only put losses down to poor gardening skills or eating by pests - but not to worry. I will keep trying; because Kerrie really enjoys them.

I was in Maryborough on the weekend - bought 5 chokos from a corner store. The bloke tells me they are local and fresh (not refrigerated). I will try to put them in the ground on the weekend. I will check Green harvest site but any suggestions on growing tips?

Quote :

any suggestions on growing tips?

Yes, only plant one!! Even with just one plant you will be feeding the chooks as chokos are very prolific.

How/where do YOU plant them Gail?

PS...he had three different colours....dark green, light green and white. I have not previously seen a white one...at least i cannot remember thus.

Some of the fruits had little spikes - others were smooth.

I've only tried the plain green one. They like plenty of room to climb, frost free, full sun. Dig your hole and add compost or whatever you use, and place just below the surface with the shooting end facing down slightly so water doesn't sit in the opened area.

Should have asked first - have they started shooting yet? If not, just sit them on the kitchen cupboard or somewhere until they sprout.

If you are worried about frosts, plant the shooting fruit in a pot until spring.

Thanks Gail - two have begun shooting...I will "store" the others.

Dan I have planted both smooth and prickly types ,there is no dofference in the eating.
I would not plant till they start shooting ans then I would half burry them in the ground.
I used to give them an all pourpose fertilizer when planted and thats all .
As Gail says they need room . I grew mine in a 6 ft wire fence.
Once I made the error of planting 3 .The local hospital was kept in choko's for months plus all neighbours and friends as well.
Of course I always grew mine in a frost free area so Gail's idea of starting off in a good sized pot is a great. idea Good luck with them Dan .

We planted ours on the chook shed and run ,it also wants to smother the vegie garden

When I was a lad my grandpa used to grow it on the chook shed and run! My trouble is that the blessed possums eat everything not protected from them...and there is no room IN the vege garden for them.

Growing them on the wire outside the vege garden would both leave them exposed to possums and restrict sunlight from the veges. There will be a plan - I just have to find it.