Lavington gardener John Ferguson has grown apple cucumbers for the past six years and was surprised to find half of his crop looked significantly different this year.

The cucumber, which is botanically a fruit but eaten as a vegetable, usually appears to be pale white with a green tinge and is oval-shaped.

However this year, two of Mr Ferguson’s plants bore a circular fruit yellow and orange in colour, with lumps on the skin.

He said the fruit tasted the same but “it’s very strange because I’ve never seen them like this”.

“Instead of apple cucumbers, I’m getting orange cucumbers,” he said.

Mr Ferguson buys four plants every September to go in his backyard.

A spokesperson from Peards Albury said it could be a virus, overwatering, a nutrient imbalance or another variety.

Terry Dare, of Dare’s Fruit & Veges, said it was possible Mr Ferguson had bought a lemon cucumber.

“They don’t look as good but there is nothing wrong with them,” he said.

Anyone with a similar experience can contact Mr Ferguson on (02) 6040 5315.