Chayote (sayongte or fak maeo) in Udon Thani

[sean in udon]

sayongte ซายองเต้ or fak maeo ฟักแม้ว

Have been reading about this and would like to get hold of some.

It would appear to be a good food source for animals (currently have ducks and chickens, hopefully pigs later this year) and humans. It's fast growing and I would like to create a 'wall' that is natural, rather than looking at man made materials.

Tried the local supermarkets (hoping to get the fruit) and plant suppliers (for a plant). Then asked around the big supermarkets and a few of the plant suppliers in Udon Thani. It doesn't seem to be very popular around here, as I've come up empty (except for Big C - they had some leaves in a mixed veg pack). I'm not even sure when the fruit is in season.

Can anybody suggest a supplier for the plant or fruit? It does get a bit frustrating hearing 'mai mee' everywhere you go. And confirm that my research regarding food for animals is correct?

Thanks in advance.

[exterminator]

Seasonal. Like you i have been researching the chayote for almost 2 years. I am in Loei, not far from Udon. Managed to get some fruits from a local market, grew them, the vines came out okay, but never more than 4 or 5 feet, then they die off. I understand they grow well in Chaiyaphum. I was disappointed with my crop....gave it tender loving care, did all that was prescribed, but somehow they never went beyond 20 leaves! sprouted beautifully...don't know where i went wrong! the clmate?

[exterminator]

Furthermore, you can get Chayote from the local market in Loei town. You can even ask for ones that are already sprouting! Apparently their fruit comes from a supplier in Chaiyaphum,

[sean in udon]

exterminator, thanks for the info.

Your initial growing success followed by disappointment doesn't bode well for me.

When is the chayote in season? If I'm unable to find anything closer, the 2 hour drive to Loei is on the cards.

[exterminator]

I saw a lot of fruit (and leaves) in Loei market sometime in May and June last year. Tell you what. i will pop into Loei this coming weekend to check with the vendors there...will PM you if there are some.

[DumbFalang]

Hey Sean,

Here are a few pic's of the wife's little setup...

She said you can buy them from Royal Project shops. She bought from a market in Petchabun. Try to get them as mature as possible. She said lot's of other stuff too, but I can't remember it all ;-)

[sean in udon]

Thanks for the pics and the info.

[sean in udon]

Managed to get some fruit from the ground floor shops in Central Plaza, Udon Thani, yesterday.

Many thanks to exterminator and DumbFalang for their help.

[kokesaat]

ฟักแม้ว, both the veggie and the tubers are regularly available in village markets like the one in Nongwahsaw. Cheap, too!