MIRLITON.ORG

MIRLITON.ORG

Hand Pollinating of Mirlitons (chayote, “Sechium edule”)

Hand-pollinating mirlitons. Bees are the primary pollinator for mirlitons, but sometimes they don't show up. Hand-pollinating is the answer. Buy a paintbrush from a craft store with dark bristles so you can see the pollen.
Female that has not blossomed yet. Females can be easily identified by the baby mirliton at the base that will develop into a fruit.
Female flower blossomed and ready for pollinating.
Male flowers will appear in clusters usually before females. Here some are opening up and yellow pollen is available.
Male flower open. Pollen will now be present and available for collection.
Dabbing male pistil to collect pollen on the brush.
Pollen being applied to female.
Female flower being dabbed with pollen collected from male. Generally, there are several times more females than males. You only have to pollinate each female once.
Pollen being applied to female.
Here is a successfully pollinated female flower. You can tell because the flower has dropped off.