Variety field guide
What to expect from Crystal Apple Slicing cucumber Seeds
Crystal Apple Slicing cucumber seeds produce cream fruit, Round fruit; about 3 in diameter, on vining/climbing plants.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Crystal Apple Slicing cucumber seeds produce cream fruit, Round fruit; about 3 in diameter, on vining/climbing plants. Grow it for fresh eating or pickling, trellised gardens, succession sowing, and summer harvest; Experience the unique charm and refreshing flavor of Cucumber Seeds - Vining - Crystal Apple, an heirloom variety treasured for its distinctive round shape and mild, crisp taste. Crystal Apple Cucumber Seeds produce unique round white cucumbers with sweet, mild flavor and a crisp bite perfect for fresh eating.
About Crystal Apple
Crystal Apple is an annual slicing cucumber with cream color, 49–60 in mature height or spread, and a vining/climbing habit. Harvest form or size: Round fruit; about 3 in diameter. Botanically it is Cucumis sativus L. Maturity or first bloom: 70-79 Days; germination: 7-10 Days at 75–90 °F. Best for fresh eating or pickling, trellised gardens, succession sowing, and summer harvest. Experience the unique charm and refreshing flavor of Cucumber Seeds - Vining - Crystal Apple, an heirloom variety treasured for its distinctive round shape and mild, crisp taste.
History and provenance
The North Carolina State University cultivar archive records Crystal Apple from Arthur Yates and Company and dates the cultivar to 1933. The exact identity of the seed lot remains tied to its supplier and lot records, so no additional lineage is assigned beyond the cited record. Growers saving seed should keep the original packet, source, year, and selection notes with the lot. The thin, tender skin and juicy, sweet flavor make them well suited for fresh eating, slicing, or adding to salads, offering a subtle sweetness and cool crunch with every bite. Their charming appearance also makes them a favorite for market displays and gourmet kitchens. The productive vines yield heavily throughout the summer and perform best with regular watering and trellising to keep fruits clean and easy to harvest. Beloved by heirloom enthusiasts and home gardeners alike, the Crystal Apple Cucumber delivers both visual appeal and notable taste.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Cucumis sativus L. |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / first bloom | 70-79 Days |
| Germination | 7-10 Days at 75–90 °F |
| Seed depth | 1/2 in |
| Plant height / spread | 49–60 in |
| Growth habit | Vining/Climbing |
| Spacing | 12 in between plants; 36 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | Trellis |
Starting Crystal Apple from seed
How to grow Crystal Apple Slicing cucumber
Botanical identity: Cucumis sativus L. Life cycle: Annual.
Sow 1/2 in and use a seed-zone temperature near 75–90 °F. Expected emergence: 7-10 Days. No stratification; direct sow into warm soil or start briefly in biodegradable cells and transplant young
Plant during Late Spring. Space plants 12 in apart with 36 in between rows or planting bands.
Provide Full sun, moderate water, and loamy near pH 6.0–6.5. Support: Trellis.
Garden performance and care
Harvest Crystal Apple frequently at the intended eating stage so oversized fruit does not slow production. Keep vines off wet soil where possible, water at the root zone, and watch early for cucumber beetles and wilt symptoms. Expected emergence is 7-10 Days; the listed maturity or bloom timing is 70-79 Days.
Harvest, bloom, and uses
Crystal Apple is best for fresh eating or pickling, trellised gardens, succession sowing, and summer harvest. Harvest form or size: Round fruit; about 3 in diameter. Color at the principal harvest or mature stage: Cream. Experience the unique charm and refreshing flavor of Cucumber Seeds - Vining - Crystal Apple, an heirloom variety treasured for its distinctive round shape and mild, crisp taste.
Saving seed
Seed saving for Crystal Apple Select several healthy, true-to-type plants so the saved lot represents the variety rather than one unusually early or large individual. Cucumis sativus L. varieties can cross with other cucumbers of the same species through insect-carried pollen. Isolate by distance, flowering control, bagging, or hand pollination and maintain enough plants to represent the variety. Mark seed fruit early, then allow it to grow far past eating stage until large and pale, yellow, or golden. Hold mature fruit briefly if sound, scoop seed and pulp, ferment about 24–48 hours, wash away pulp and light seed, and dry the heavy seed thoroughly in a thin layer. Label the lot with isolation and selection records and test germination before distribution.
Common problems
Watch Crystal Apple for cucumber beetles, squash bugs where applicable, aphids, powdery or downy mildew, bacterial wilt, crown rot, poor pollination, and fruit damage on wet soil. Rotate cucurbit crops, provide airflow, water at the root zone, protect young plants before flowering, and remove covers when blossoms need pollinators. Do not work wet vines.
Frequently asked questions
When is Crystal Apple ready?
70-79 Days from warm direct sowing or equivalent established transplant
How long does germination take?
Expect 7-10 Days near 75–90 °F; actual emergence changes with moisture, seed condition, and soil temperature.
How large does it grow?
About 49–60 in with a vining/climbing habit. Support: Trellis.
Can it grow in a container?
Possible in a large container only with a sturdy trellis, frequent watering, and enough root volume.
How is it used?
Primary uses: fresh eating or pickling, trellised gardens, succession sowing, and summer harvest. Experience the unique charm and refreshing flavor of Cucumber Seeds - Vining - Crystal Apple, an heirloom variety treasured for its distinctive round shape and mild, crisp taste.
Can I save seed?
Yes where the crop biology allows, but keep compatible varieties isolated, use several healthy plants, wait for full seed maturity, dry thoroughly, and label the lot.
Minimum Seed Count:30 seeds
