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| Hello all,
I am excited!! Yesterday my heirloom Mirliton sprout arrived in the mail. Several months ago I found a link on the web about a professor in Louisiana who is attempting to save the heirloom American Mirliton/Chayote. Most of the heirloom Louisiana plants were destroyed during Hurricaine Katrina. Although I am not in Louisiana I decided I wanted to participate in the "Adopt-A-Mirliton Project". I contacted Professor Lance Hill and asked to be put on the list to get a free 'sprout' for growing. As we have winter freeze in Virginia I will keep Mr. Rocky inside until April. I call the sprout Mr. Rocky because the heirloom variety is named "Mister Rock". If anyone is interested I can post a link. Here are some photos of my plant.   |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Dancinglemons, I am interested! The fruit looks yellower than the supermarket type. Have you tasted or cooked this type? Does he give you a choice of varieties? |
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| I am totally interested. I was going to buy one to sprout. Can you send me the link. |
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| That reminds me the Bayou Gardener does some Merliton growing. Here's one of his videos if anyone cares: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO0UmLDOSls |
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- Posted by dancinglemons 7+ (My Page) on Tue, Apr 20, 10 at 1:40
| Hello all, Well the Mirliton growing inside has been a HUGE success!! I plan to put the plant outside on May 1, 2010 in an EarthBox with a cattle panel as the trellis. Have not figured out how I will shape the trellis yet but will post photos when it is finished. EarthBox planter because I will be able to bring the EB inside during the winter while plant is dormant. DL |
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- Posted by organicislandfarmer 9 (My Page) on Tue, Apr 20, 10 at 1:43
| that is totally cool, never thought to grow those! I love to eat them though! |
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- Posted by dancinglemons 7+ (My Page) on Tue, Apr 20, 10 at 1:58
| organicislandfarmer, You live in the perfect growing zone to have a permanent Mirliton bed - they come back year after year. DL |
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| Good pictures. May be good to grow in zone 7+. Last season, I tried it, they just grew wild and did not produce any fruits. It was just a vanity in my small yard. Not good for zone 6, though. Anna |
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| It would probably be a good idea to harden off that mirliton before exposing it to full sun and wind. Plants grown indoors can be tender. Jim |
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- Posted by nashvilleman (My Page) on Fri, Apr 23, 10 at 20:03
| Dancinglemons, these are beautiful photos. Yes, the imported mirlitons (chayote) in most stores will not grow well in some North American climates, but you can give it try if you are not in Louisiana. Flowering times, lack of disease resistance in the imported hybrids, etc. seem to be the problem. If you can find a landrace traditionally grown in the U.S. that would be the best way to go. They were hard to find in the past but by next year there will be several hundred growers in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. Just get on the adopt-a-mirliton email list. Lance Hill Adopt-A-Mirliton |
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- Posted by alabamanicole 7 (My Page) on Fri, Apr 23, 10 at 20:41
| I don't know if they would grow in north Alabama. Sun and heat we've got, but I don't think the roots would survive the winters. It's disappointing - they are one of my favorite unusual fruits, and I suspect the heirloom varieties are much better tasting than the super market ones. This past winter taught us that any thoughts of being 7b or marginal 8 were delusions. :) |
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- Posted by therustyone 9 (My Page) on Sat, Apr 24, 10 at 16:04
| How does one get on the Adopt a Mirliton email list? Is it too late for this year? I am interested ! Rusty |
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- Posted by dancinglemons 7+ (My Page) on Sun, Apr 25, 10 at 3:26
| Hello all, The email addy for the adopt-a-mirliton program is mirlitons@marketumbrella.org -- You will contact Professor Hill and ask about the program and he will give the information about getting an adoptee :-)) The plan for the program is adoptive 'parents' agree to send some of their mirliton harvest to Professor Hill so that he can send them off to new 'parents' and keep the program going. There is a site below with photos and info if anyone is interested. DL |
Here is a link that might be useful: Mirliton photos
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- Posted by therustyone 9 (My Page) on Sun, Apr 25, 10 at 11:50
| Thank you, DL Rusty |
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