Hi Agartta, I have the same problem as you....I also use a black permanent marker on the plastic labels. The extreme heat we’ve had this a Summer has faded our labels faster then normal + the plastic has become brittle and they break very easily now. I would also be interested in alternative ideas, something other then the plastic labels.... and yes the copper labels are ridiculously expensive.

I've found pencil on the yellow plastic labels have serious staying power.

You have to find the right kind of plastic that works with the pencil though.

I cut up clear plastic lemonade bottles to size. It is still ok after 2 years. Unfortunately is not pencil friendly. Still have to use permanent marker. I am experimenting now with a fine Pilot pen.

What about the paint pens? Anyone ever try those?

https://m.gemplers.com/product/T800/Aluminum-Marking-Tags?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_JTUBRD4ARIsAL7_VeUKD3fH4SQ3Ng4XUaZGu4Q9F5wKaVUARLir4kmtmSVE2RanCslQVUIaAk4SEALw_wcB&CID=25SEPLA&s_kwcid=AL!3210!3!51404438545!!!g!146113928185!&ef_id=WjHbTgAAAJGs7P6S:20180216034834:s

I agree with pencil ... cheap yet durable. For those who have plastic labels that aren't "pencil friendly" ..... I'll share a little secret with you. Scuff the side you plan to write on by placing the tag on a sheet of sandpaper (fine grit works well) and, pressing down, rub vigorously. Suddenly pencil will write on it with ease. :-)

I use durable plastic labels from a garden supply store and have made printed labels using a Labelling machine (brand name is "Brother").. The labels are extremely durable in even the greatest heat and sunlight.. It may be time-consuming to print up the labels and the label tape is not cheap, but they certainly look very professional and you can choose your own letter size and font style to squeeze in a lot of information.. I have used this type of labelling for my orchids for years and now for my 200 plus Desert Rose seedlings. Pencil on plastic certainly works too, but it is difficult to write with any elegance on them and there is a limit, at least for me, to print small enough to pack in everything one may wish to write.. A labeler machine is worth every penny because it has so many uses beyond the garden labels.. Couldn't live without it.

I think the only long time solution for Aussie weather would be engraving on aluminium, copper plates. Expensive but forever. Have to check where to buy bulk little plates. When u start breeding Adeniums and you have few hundred, would be hard to keep coming back to renew plastic labels.

Heaps on eBay

i use pant pens they are better than permanent markers if u get a good brand

Agartta go through your posts of flowers u may get the names

Peter - thanks alot, good price from ebay, I like the copper ones, I wonder if aluminium would be less tarnishing after a while.

Agartta, do you have o e of the ultraviolet lights people use to find pet stains, or for looking for counterfeit currency? Sometimes I have been able to make out faded labels using one of those.

Hmmm, lots of good ideas here. We don’t seem to have alot of choice here in Australia. Would love to see some photos of what everyone’s using, and even labels people have made themselves. Sometimes they’re the best ideas. :)

Peter - too funny

Rachel - today I wrapped new plastic labels in sticky clear tape for some of my seedlings until I get copper ones.

Charles - good idea, I will try, I do have ultraviolet torch.

Check this link - such a great idea and so cheap to make.

Making Aluminium Can Plant Tags

Good idea

I spray paint tuna can lids (after punching holes with a large nail) flat black, then paint names with fine tip white paint marker, insert a chain link wire tie (squeezing the end with pliers), and poke it into the ground. [This version is fancier than mine.]

Carol

Sandplum - they look great. I need to find a finer paint pen to fit on little labels.

With close to 100 plants, I would have to eat lots of tuna to use the can lid lol

The soda can idea is neat but I would worry about cutting myself on the cut edges.

Paul - I agree, the edges would be a problem. Would have to use leather gloves and pliers to bend the sharp edges. That would be time consuming.

As Peter mentioned earlier, ebay sells 200 aluminium labels with copper ties for $22 + postage would be a good option.

Now my seedlings are getting bigger that will be the option i will most likely go with .whoo hoo its raining at last its been months since we have had good rain. I hope the farmers are getting some one farmer on tv said its been the worst dry spell in 40 years, in the hunter valley nsw.

strips of broken venetian blinds marked with a black permanent marker. stick it in the soil and when you need the name, pull it and look at it. you just put it where the sun don't shine …. hmmmm

Lol

bragu_DSM 5

"strips of broken venetian blinds marked with a black permanent marker."

I've known several folks who do this though several use pencil instead of marker.

The stamped metal tags are what botanical gardens in the USA use, but be warned even they get hard to read over time. Oxidation is a thing and it makes the metal crusty so it's wise to use a spray sealer and if need be, a wire brush to clean them once in a while, then reseal. Nothing lasts forever, not even metal tags. But they do last a long time with proper care. One thing to help make them last is not letting your fertilizer water splash your tags - that corrodes them pretty quickly due to the salts. Copper for example turns green and crusty, aluminum gets white and crusty.

Got these from Bunnings $3.00 a packet

i have letter stamps probably use to mark them

I have the same issue ... Plastic labels last a year here. The plastic becomes brittle under this hot sun. I find myself rewriting labels way too often. Lead pencil is absolutely better than "permanent" marker.

Several people have tried label makers, like the Brother P-Touch ... How has that worked out? Anyone?