Plant labels

Discussion in 'Alpine Gardening' started by martyn bromley, Nov 7, 2017.

  1. martyn bromley

    martyn bromley Keen amateur gardener

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    Please can anyone recommend a machine for plant labelling -Dymo /Brother etc ? As I am tired of permanent markers on my plant labels that still fade after a year .
     
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    • Ned

      Ned Evaporated

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      Martyn, permanent markers are a waste of time. When at the nursery (propagating shrubs for the trade) we used soft leaded pencils on plain white 5" labels - so much better...... sorry, I know it`s not the answer you hoped for - but really is easy and cheap :redface:
       
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      • Verdun

        Verdun Passionate gardener

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        Interesting Tetters....pencils? Will try that.
        Agree, so-called permanent markers are a waste of time :)
         
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        • CarolineL

          CarolineL Total Gardener

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          I have a Brother with the special tape that is supposed to be for plant labelling. It fades. Same with my older Dymo. Found also that the soft copper labels where you scribe the name and it is supposed to go verdigris don't work either - the names don't show when copper gets dirty.
          Pencil (B or softer) is the best!
           
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          • martyn bromley

            martyn bromley Keen amateur gardener

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            Oh well guys -the old methods are the best .
            Thanks for your advice and saving me some money !!
            A nice sharp soft pencil it is
             
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            • redstar

              redstar Total Gardener

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              LOL. none of my plants are labeled.
               
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              • Verdun

                Verdun Passionate gardener

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                Me too martyn.....bought my pencils already.:)
                 
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                • Heucherella

                  Heucherella Gardener

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                  I label my plants, as I like to remember the different varieties, and also to help my husband who is trying to learn them. I am trying black labels written with white paint pen... Promising so far....
                   
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                  • Verdun

                    Verdun Passionate gardener

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                    I have so many plants, so many varieties that if they werent labelled I would not know which salvia, agastache, helenium, etc. :)
                    Sounds a good idea Heucherella :)
                     
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                    • JWK

                      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                      The problem I have is keeping the labels in place, they get pulled up and re-arranged over-night. It's either fairies or fox-cubs.
                       
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                      • ARMANDII

                        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                        I've been using Markie Pens for the last couple years after using a pencil for the labels. The pencil was fine but the writing was too light to be seen clearly from a distance. So the black permanent ink shows up more clearly, two year old writing hasn't faded, and I don't have to keep picking up pots to see the writing. I guess it's a case of different strokes for different folks.:dunno::heehee:
                         
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                        • redstar

                          redstar Total Gardener

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                          Yep, mine would probably do all that. Given my vast gardens, its just too much bother to move markers and mulch or tend to that area. And it does not bother me at all if I remember the "type" of plant it is or not. I know the general name that is all that matters or know the letter it starts with. don't have folks who want to know the name that often.
                           
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                          • kindredspirit

                            kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

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                            I use these labels. Completely weatherproof. I buy the blanks from The Essentials Company and then get a local printer to make the stick-on labels for me.
                             
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                            • CarolineL

                              CarolineL Total Gardener

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                              @kindredspirit - very nice! Does the stick on stuff cope ok with wet? I would worry about it starting to curl away from label.
                              I have tried white pen on black, but it fades.
                               
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                              • kindredspirit

                                kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

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                                Had some labels out in the garden for 5 years and still perfect. Not one has peeled or faded. I'm in a very high rainfall area.
                                 
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