Chayote (mirlitons) normally flowers in September, and mainly after the fall equinox in the U.S.A.. This year, we received reports of both male and female flowers on a vine on August 8th in the U.S.A. That is unprecedented. Climate change has upset weather patterns in the Southern United States. We have received 10 inches of snow and a deep freeze early this year, but the summer was relatively normal in temperature, although it had high precipitation.

Are you receiving reports of odd flowering patterns in chayote, and do you have any theories on what may be causing this?

Attached is a photo of the August 8th flowering vine.