Why won’t my choko grow?
2024-10-11T12:46:34+11:00
Is your choko plant struggling to grow? Here are a few possible causes.
Surprised? Most people ask how to stop their choko growing, because the vines can be quite rampant. Generally, it’s a simple case of banging a choko in the ground, giving it some water, then standing back before the vine grabs hold of you. But they are known to fail, and if it’s ever happened to you, it has probably left you feeling disappointed and somewhat perplexed.
One possible cause is the timing of its planting. Choko fruit tend to be available in autumn, and if you leave one sitting around on the kitchen bench, it’s likely to throw out a shoot before winter arrives. The natural thing to do would be to dig a hole and plant it in the ground, but if you’re in a place that gets cold winters, it won’t grow much; if you get a frost – even a light one – it will destroy the shoot, and because the plant is not established, it’s unlikely to grow back.
The best thing to do in this situation is to plant the fruit in a pot. Partly bury the fruit on its side with the sprout facing upwards and the base of the sprout just touching the mix (this is where the roots will develop). Keep the pot in a warm, bright spot protected from frost – indoors on a sunny windowsill is fine – and then plant the choko in the ground in spring once the risk of frost has passed. Don’t be tempted to just leave the sprouted fruit sitting around over the many months ahead. It will eventually shrivel up and the shoot will die back. The new plant needs to develop a root system to support itself.
The other main cause of choko failure is poor drainage. These plants are highly susceptible to root rot, so plant them in a well-drained spot, and mound the soil or make a raised growing bed if necessary. Also, be careful not to overwater after planting a choko fruit, especially when conditions are cold.
