Cucumber Crystal Apple
$4.95
Cucumis Sativus
- Seed Count 10
- Lunch Box Favourite
- Annual
In stock
Description
The charisma of the Crystal Apple lies in its small, round fruits, each about the size of a small apple, that hang like pale green ornaments among the leaves. When ripe, they take on a soft golden hue, glowing gently in the summer sun. This heirloom variety has been grown and loved since 1894, when it was first introduced from New Zealand. Back then, gardeners prized it for its productivity and delightful flavour, and it remains just as appealing today.
The fruit’s name refers to its shape and colour rather than its flavour, but in many ways, the comparison still fits. Like a crisp, juicy apple, Crystal Apple cucumbers have a tender crunch and refreshing sweetness that make them hard to resist. Their thin, edible skin means there’s no need for peeling, and the flesh inside is delicate and mild, with none of the bitterness that can sometimes creep into other cucumber varieties as the season goes on.
One of the great pleasures of growing this cucumber is its vigorous habit. The vines are natural climbers, always looking for something to scramble over. Whether it’s a trellis, a fence, or even a tomato cage, Crystal Apple cucumbers make the most of vertical space. Their bright green foliage forms a living wall of leaves and tendrils, dotted with golden flowers that give way to dozens of small round fruits. In the right conditions, they can grow impressively fast, turning a plain corner of the garden into a lush, productive tangle of greenery in just a few weeks.
Despite their energy and enthusiasm, these cucumbers are wonderfully adaptable. They grow happily in traditional vegetable beds but do just as well in containers or grow bags, provided they have something to climb on. For gardeners working with limited space, that makes them a perfect choice. You can tuck them beside a sunny wall, a balcony railing, or even a sturdy shrub, and they’ll reward you with months of crisp, refreshing fruit.
In the kitchen, Crystal Apple cucumbers are as versatile as they are charming. Their crisp texture and delicate flavour make them perfect for salads, where they add a lovely crunch without overpowering other ingredients. They’re also wonderful sliced thin and sprinkled with a little sea salt or tossed into sandwiches for a refreshing bite. Because of their small, rounded shape, they fit perfectly into lunchboxes or picnic baskets, making them a hit with children and adults alike.
When the weather is warm, Crystal Apple cucumbers lend themselves beautifully to simple, refreshing dishes. Tossed with mint, yoghurt, and lemon for a quick salad, or sliced and served with feta and tomatoes, they make a perfect side for summer meals. Their tender flesh also makes them a lovely addition to homemade pickles. Because they stay crisp even after pickling, they add texture and a hint of sweetness to jars of mixed vegetables or bread-and-butter pickles..
For families with children, Crystal Apple cucumbers are a particularly good choice. The small, round fruits are easy for little hands to pick, and their mild, sweet flavour often wins over even the fussiest eaters. Gardening with kids becomes that bit more rewarding when they can wander through the patch and pluck their own “mini cucumbers” straight from the vine. The plant’s cheerful appearance and generous yield make it a natural favourite in school gardens and backyard veggie patches alike.
| Method: Sow direct | Soil Temp: 16°C - 35°C |
| Cool Mountain: Oct - Dec | Position: Full sun |
| Arid: Aug - Feb | Row Spacing: 60 cm |
| Temperate: Aug - Feb | Planting Depth: 5mm |
| Sub Tropical: Aug - Mar | Harvest: 60 Days |
| Tropical: Apr - Aug | Plant Height: 2 m trailing |
🥒 Growing Cucumber from Seed in Australia
Cucumbers are warm-season climbers (or sprawlers, if you let them!) that love sunshine and rich soil. With just a little care, you can be picking fresh cukes straight from the vine in no time.
🌱 Sowing: In Trays vs. Direct
From Trays:
Starting in trays is ideal if your soil is still a bit cool, or you want a head start. Use biodegradable pots (like coir or peat) so you can plant the whole thing—cucumbers don’t like root disturbance.
- When: In most of Australia, start indoors in early spring (August–September) and transplant out after the last frost.
- How: Sow seeds 1–2cm deep in quality seed raising mix. Keep them warm (above 20°C) and moist but not soggy. Germination takes 5–10 days.
Direct Sowing:
Once the soil has warmed up to at least 18–20°C, you can sow directly outdoors. This usually means mid-spring to early summer, depending on your region.
- How: Sow 2–3 seeds per mound, 1–2cm deep. Thin to the strongest seedling after germination.
🌼 Tip: In cooler areas, use a cloche or row cover to warm the soil for a faster start.
🌞 Soil & Position
Cucumbers are heavy feeders and need rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.
- Ideal pH: 6.0–6.8
- Sunlight: Full sun—at least 6 hours a day.
- Soil Prep: Mix compost, aged manure, and a little pelletised organic fertiliser into the soil. A raised mound or bed works well to improve drainage.
🌿 Cucumbers love warmth, so choose the sunniest, most sheltered spot in your garden.
🌿 Care & Maintenance
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially once fruit sets. Avoid wetting the leaves to prevent mildew.
- Feeding: Side-dress with compost or a seaweed-based liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during flowering and fruiting.
- Support: Trellis your plants if you can—it saves space, keeps fruit cleaner, and improves air flow.
- Mulch: Add straw or sugarcane mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
🌼 Companion Planting
Cucumbers are friendly little growers and do well with:
| Good Neighbours | Why They Help |
|---|---|
| Nasturtium | Attracts aphids away from cucumbers |
| Dill & Coriander | Attracts pollinators & predators |
| Beans & Peas | Fix nitrogen in the soil |
| Corn | Offers natural trellising support |
🚫 Avoid planting near potatoes and strong aromatic herbs like sage—they can inhibit cucumber growth.
🧺 Harvesting
- When to Harvest: Pick when firm, green, and about 15–20cm long (depending on variety).
- How to Harvest: Use secateurs or scissors to cut, rather than twisting, to avoid damaging the vine.
- How Often: Check daily—cukes grow fast and can turn seedy if left too long!
🌼 The more you pick, the more your plant will produce!
🐛 Common Issues & Fixes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Powdery mildew | Humid conditions, poor airflow | Improve spacing, use milk spray |
| Yellowing leaves | Overwatering, nutrient deficiency | Check soil drainage, feed with compost tea |
| Misshapen fruit | Poor pollination | Hand-pollinate or attract more bees |
| Bitter fruit | Irregular watering, heat stress | Keep water consistent, mulch well |
🌸 Seed Saving Guide
Cucumbers cross-pollinate easily, so for true-to-type seed saving:
- Isolate one variety by at least 800m (or grow only one type).
- Let a few fruits mature fully on the vine—they’ll turn yellow and puffy.
- Harvest and scoop out seeds into a jar with water.
- Ferment 2–3 days to remove the gel coating (stir daily).
- Rinse and dry thoroughly on paper towel or mesh.
- Store in a labelled envelope in a cool, dry place. Viable for 5+ years.
🌼 Always save seeds from the healthiest plants for strong future crops.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Cucumbers are one of those garden delights that just keep on giving—fast-growing, rewarding, and so versatile in the kitchen. Whether you’re after crunchy salad varieties or petite pickling types, once they get going, they’re hard to stop.
🌞 A warm bed, regular water, and a little climbing support are the recipe for a summer full of cucumbers. And if it all goes a bit wild? That’s okay—it’s all part of the learning!
1 review for Cucumber Crystal Apple
| 5 star | 100% | |
| 4 star | 0% | |
| 3 star | 0% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
| 1 star | 0% |
Postage Charge
Orders under $35 attract a $4.95 shipping charge. Orders $35 and above have free shipping.
Order Times
Seed orders are normally dispatched within three business days. You will receive an email when seeds are mailed out.
Postage Days
Seeds are mailed out Tuesday to Friday at 1pm. Except for the Friday of long weekends.
Postage Times
WA 2-3 Days: SA,NT 3-5 Days: NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC: 5-7 Days
Carrier
We use Australia Post Letter Postage for the majority of orders
Not only are our seeds packed in recycled paper envelopes, we keep the theme going when we post out website orders. To protect your seeds from moisture and the letter box munchers (snails), we use a very special plastic free material made from plants. They are then put into recycled mailing envelopes. Green all the way 💚🌿
Delivery Guarantee
We take great care to make sure your seeds arrive safely. If your order is lost or damaged in transit, we’ll happily send a replacement. Unfortunately, we can’t replace or refund orders that arrive later than the estimated delivery date, as delays can sometimes occur that are outside our control.
Please note that all dispatch and delivery times listed are estimates only. While we do our best to post promptly, delivery timeframes can vary due to postal service delays, weather events, or other unforeseen circumstances. We’re unable to take responsibility for any loss, damage, or cost that results from a late delivery.
An order is not considered missing until at least 20 business days have passed from the postage date. You’ll receive an email once your seeds have been posted, letting you know they’re on their way. If you don’t see it in your main inbox, please check your Spam or Promotions folders as sometimes our emails like to hide there.
See all our verified customer reviews on our official CusRev profile.