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[Roze]

Hi guys,

 I'm experiencing some issues to label my outdoor plants, so far I've not found a effective method that resists the different climatic conditions for a long time. A proper identification is essential,  fortunately they are too many to remember the name of all

So, how do you do it? Any ideas?

Thanks!

[nobody]

For long term stuff like trees I use scrap aluminum and etch it with a center punch (an old pen works too). If you use something thin like a soda can remember to file the edges after you cut the tag to remove the sharp edge. 

3 Likes Seed Collector, fairdinkumseeds and Roze like this.

[Auxin]

I do the same.
I dont debur the edges tho, but I also dont wear gloves while gardening, I live dangerously 
The little triangles that are cut off can be an issue for bare feet tho.
When 'writing' on them with a ballpoint pen put a thin seed catalog/magazine/etc on a book and do it on that and write with firm pressure. They stay readable for many years.

1 Like Roze likes this.

[MadPlanter]

Those plastic vertical blind slots for windows make good material for cutting the tags like auxin did.

1 Like Roze likes this.

[Seed Collector]

I use plastic tags & a Sharpie marker.

1 Like Sunshine likes this.

[hereje]

I cut milk jugs into strips and use a perminate marker

[New Wisdom]

I use plastic tags and pencil.  Sharpie/permanent marker will degrade after a year or so of sunlight. I lost the labels for like 30 plants because of that fact.

2 Likes Seed Collector and fairdinkumseeds like this.

[happyconcacti]

I use Cole's Aluminum tags. I've had them on plants for 3+ years and they're still readable.

When I get really fancy, I cut them out on a CNC machine. The 2nd pic is just an example, not a plant tag. 

1 Like Saros likes this.

[Auxin]

  I'll pass on CNC plant tags. I bought a lathe, a mill, tooling for both, and a mobile machine shop for the price of a CNC.
(They're $30,000)

CNC is cheating anyway

1 Like happyconcacti likes this.

[happyconcacti]

Another thing I've done for indoor plants, is use old window blinds.

If you can find them used at a thrift they're incredibly cheap. I've used the metal blinds and cut them into 5"-6" sections. They take shaprpie marker very well and last for a year to two years.

I wouldn't use them outdoors on cacti though as they'll eventually fade.

Hcc

3 Likes Sunshine, Ian Morris and Radium like this.

[Sunshine]

Epic idea hcc! I'll be using that. +1

[happyconcacti]

Thanks Sunshine, It was my father's idea.

Another bonus about using blinds, the curvature of the slats of metal almost exactly fit the curvature of most 4" pots: They glide into the soil very easily without getting stuck.

[Roze]

wow so many ideas!

I love the fact of recycling old stuff and turn it into useful items, already using scrap aluminum from old cans .. just perfect!

Thanks muchachos 

1 Like New Wisdom likes this.