I've used the plastic "bread type" tags which are the ones you're talking about I think, for a long time and I love them. I use a permanent garden marker that I get from EON to write on them, the regular permanent markers will fade. I've had very few blow off. Mostly the ones that do blow off are where no pods set and the bloom falls off. I personally love these as they can be used over and over again. If pods don't set, I just collect the tags and use them again. I only write the pollen parent on the tag or an abbreviation of it. They are large enough also, to cross through one name and put another. Both sides can also be used. I use mine over and over again. When I harvest the seed pods, I will add the pollen parent to the tag and drop it in the bag with all the seed pods from that cross.
Jan

Jan, Yes, the bread-type are the ones I'm talking about. I think I'm going to try some. Thanks for your thoughts. John

I like to use colored wires, since it is less obtrusive and faster than the written tags.

I use the plastic bread tags too. I use a #2 lead pencil to write the cross and include the date. Won't fade. Soak in bleach solution to remove writing and reuse.

Ripe pods down in the foliage are much easier to spot with a tag on them.
Ed