Description of Mexican Cucumber
Fans of growing original varieties distinguish the Mexican cucumber among others; it can really become a decoration of the garden.
Description of Mexican Cucumber
Variety characteristic
Mexican cucumber Chayote originated in tropical regions. Mexico is considered the country of breeding, it was she who gave the name to the variety.
The name "Chayot" from the ancient language is translated as "pumpkin with thorns". The variety is suitable for cultivation in subtropical regions close to the sea. The main regions for cultivation on our continent are the shores of the Black Sea, Krasnodar and Georgia.
Description of the plant
The Mexican cucumber is characterized by unusual stems that resemble tropical vines. The stem reaches a height of 20 m. It is not necessary to form the main stem, because antennae are formed on the lateral shoots, which help the plant to form correctly and not to deform.
According to the description, the Mexican cucumber has rounded leaves, the width of which reaches 25 cm. Small bristles are located on their surface. The flowering type can be both male and female. The color of the leaves is predominantly green, in rare cases cream.
Plants bloom in early August. In warm regions, where there is no frost, the fruits are able to ripen until the middle of winter.
Description of the fetus
The Mexican cucumber is characterized by an unusual fruit shape, most often dark green, pear-shaped fruits. Depending on the choice of seeds, the fruits can also have a light green hue. The length of an individual ripe fruit can reach 25 cm, but the weight of a Chayote cucumber exceeds 1000 g.
Each fruit is covered with few thorns or completely smooth. The inside contains a solid yellow bone. The pulp is light green in color, pleasant, sweet in taste. A large amount of starch allows the vegetable to be considered satisfying and useful for the human body.
The fruits do not grow on the surface of the bush, but in the root system. In 1 bush about 10 fruits ripen, each 1 kg.
Mexican cucumber is classified as a universal variety. It can be used for making salads or preserving for the winter. It is also suitable for fresh consumption.
Growing rules
In the regions of Russia and Ukraine, cultivation should be carried out using seedlings. A full fruit should be placed in an indoor flower pot or container and placed in a warm, lighted room. Planting depth - 3 cm. The soil is prematurely fed with organic matter. Use of humus or bird droppings is recommended. Peat is also ideal.
The plant is best grown in place of a potato
Mexican cucumber is planted in open ground in early May. It is permissible for those living in a warm region to plant in April. Seeds are also planted in open ground. For this, the seeds are placed at a distance of 100 cm from each other. For 1 sq. m should contain no more than 1 plant.The seeds are immersed in the ground with the wide side down. Depth is measured at the bayonet of the shovel. That is, the seeds must be immersed in the hole for 1 bayonet.
Cultivation is carried out in places where soil drainage is located, because an excess of moisture negatively affects the plant. It is best to grow Mexican cucumbers in the garden beds where potatoes or onions were previously located. There, where pumpkin was previously grown, Chayote is not planted, otherwise the yield indicators decrease.
Care
Mexican cucumber Chayote has no special care requirements. All activities are standard and suitable even for a beginner in the field of agriculture. It is important to feed the soil in a timely manner. For these purposes, 100 g of mineral complex fertilizers or 100 g of humus are placed in each well. The plant is tall, so props are placed to hold the stem.
- Planting areas should be well lit by the sun.
- It is recommended to use special shelters from strong gusts of wind that can destroy the crop.
- Watering is carried out every 10 days using warm water. This allows the root system to form better.
Diseases and parasites
There is no information on what diseases and parasites the Mexican cucumber Chayote is exposed to. As a preventive measure, you can use folk recipes without the use of insecticides. To protect yourself from powdery mildew or spotting, you should adjust the watering and airing of the seedlings. You can protect yourself from the Colorado potato beetle or slugs by collecting insects with your hands.
A manganese solution or soap solution will help with aphids or whiteflies. Every bush is treated with it. The processing interval is 10-12 days.
Recipes
Mexican cucumbers are consumed in any form. Often, a salad is prepared from Mexican Chayote cucumbers: the cucumber is rubbed on a coarse grater, then greens are added to it. If desired, you can add an egg and the desired amount of spices. The dish is seasoned with olive or sunflower oil.
Chayote is often stuffed. To do this, cut the vegetable into 2 parts, remove the seeds from it, then remove the pulp and stew it along with other vegetables. Beat the contents in a blender and spread on the peel of a cucumber. Next, the molds are placed in the oven and baked until golden brown.
Mexican Chayote cucumber contains a large amount of vitamins and other nutrients, many people use it fresh. It is especially important to pay attention to this culture for those who eat right and monitor their weight.
Conclusion
Growing a Mexican cucumber is a little more difficult than conventional vegetables, but the effort you put in is rewarded with a bigger harvest.