Environment, Sustainability and Biotechnology

The cucumber plants are grown under glass in an organic growing medium known as Perlite. Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic mineral that has a relatively high water content. 

We have an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) programme in place to reduce the amount of pesticides and fungicides used to an absolute minimum. IPM uses natural controls rather than chemical interventions. This system utilises the fact that insect pests have their own natural predators and parasites and these beneficial insects are identified and introduced into the crops in order to keep the harmful bugs away.
We recycle all of our waste water (drain).
We work with the latest technological advances to minimise our use of energy distribution; being both natural gas and power.

Our glasshouses are all controlled by the leading edge computerised climate control systems (which monitor efficiencies relating to watering, CO2 enrichment, respiration, heat transfer, ventilation, nutrients, and heating pipes).

House of Taste Telegraph cucumbers are wrapped in RECYCLABLE plastic.
Please dispose of this sensibly as not to harm sea life; nor the environment.

If we did not wrap cucumbers in plastic they perish within 1-2 days as the skin is porous. This means water and oxygen leaches out and the cucumber becomes limp. For hygiene reasons the cucumbers are wrapped, as from picking to your plate... it is handled at least 9 times (from picker, to sorting and packing in crates, forklift to truck, market or distribution centre, back of shop-then front of retail, to consumers who can handle multiple times in store, packed and unpacked to get home...through to preparation). The cucumber skin can easily tear and get gashed; hence compromising the integrity of the fruit and letting bacteria in.

Grown in New Zealand

No genetic modification