Topic: Crystal lemon and chinese lemon cucumbers.

[carolinej]

Hello :)

does anyone know if these are the same thing? If not, what is the difference. I am growing both from seeds I have swapped, and have no idea what they will be like.

I have a baby one on the chinese lemon one. It has LOADS of spines :o What size must it be before I pick it, should I peel it or just rub off the spines, what is the best way to eat it?

Thanks

cj :)

[Jeannine]

Hi Caroline, I think I can help you.

Crystal Apple,aka apple, aka lemon, aka crystal round are all round yellow cukes that grow to the size of a kiwi and turn deeper yellow as they mature, you can eat them young as crisp cukes or as courgettes if over mature, They have several names which is confusing.

The Chinese one I think is the one I have which is actually called Chinese Yellow,not Chinese Crystal, it can grow to 10 inches but is better picked smaller, at about 6 inches,it starts greenish and turns yellow,very crisp and very mild and there are hundreds of cukes sometimes, it is a very prolific rare one.

If it is called Chinese Crystal I don't know it.

XX Jeannine

[saddad]

Beat me to it Jeannine!
 :-X

[carolinej]

Thanks. Any advice on the spines, as they look really prickly :o

cj :)

[Jeannine]

They should just rub off.