Plant Labels

[Gary S]

Hi all,

This is a topic that frustrates the hell out of me. Can I ask what people are using for pot labels (tags) these days. What we can get here in Aus are either the thicker (about 2mm) labels or extremely thin labels. The thin labels do not last at all and with our high UV levels break down and virtually disintegrate in a year, If you pay a lot more money and buy the thicker labels then you may get 3 years out of them before they fall apart.

Then there is the issue of writing on them, the fine tipped felt pens available these days fade in about 3 months flat. The good old pens that had Xylene in them are banned here because that substance causes cancer - those pens used to outlast the labels easily.

I use Chinagraph pencils now which I source from Europe for the plastic labels - so at least the writing does not fade, but we still have the problem of labels disintegrating.

I also now resort to writing a code on the outside of the pot with the white paint based marker pens, so it does not matter if the label disappears as I have the code written up in a register. Also with just a code on the pot, prospective plant thieves do not know what the orchid is as there is no name associated with it. The only real issue is the white code on the outside of the pot looks unsightly if you are going to sell the orchid.

Would be interested on other peoples thoughts and ideas on this subject, thanks.

Regards

Gary..

[SARC]

Gary try TZ tape from Brother (as in printers). I've found in my breeding collection it lasts a very long time. You can get either a handheld labeler or one connected to your computer for doing more complex labels on various tape widths.

[Gary S]

Hi Sarc,

I have seen these printed labels before, when I looked into it the tape refills were expensive. Much like inkjet printers these days, when you go to buy a set of colour cartridges the cost is more than the printer when you buy it that has the cartridges included as part of the original price!

What do you stick the printed label to?

Cheers

Gary..

[Van Deiman]

Use the thin slatted venetian blinds and a piece of aluminium wire for writing; they fit straight into the slots on the pot lip. 2nd hand shops will have them for next to nothing.

[orchids3]

I use the brother printer and the TZ tape. It is expensive but why put the tape on labels at all. If you use plastic pots just stick the label on the pot. I think the cost less the label is about the same and the monkeys that visit cant pull the labels out and missplace them..

[Albert Nakaji]

I use a laser printer (does not fade or wash off) and sheets of labels from Taiwan. The labels come 10 to a sheet, are strong, each label about 3/4" x 5", and last a long time. Does not get brittle quickly like some others. A friend picks them up when he goes and they come in a box of 1,000 labels and not very expensive (cheaper than a lot of USA stuff of lesser quality). Don't know where you can find them, however. There's no name on the box.

[Gary S]

Thanks Van Deiman for the tip on the venetian blinds, I have seen people use the wider one before cut down the middle, but the newer style thin ones would be OK.

Thank god we do not have local monkey's around here to pull tags out of pots like orchids3 has - what other damage do they do. I assume they might like eating the flowers!

Albert, we can get labels printed up quite cheaply here even in small batches, but the problem is the thin material is hopeless in out high UV sunlight here, they literally disintegrate in less than a year.

Cheers

Gary..

[orchids3]

Actually the monkeys I was refering to wear pants or dresses and dont have tails. I sometimes look to be sure if they are wearing a dress. The only varmints I have that get into my collection are Squirrels and
Opossums. Both eat the plants but dont bother the tags. I have found that a mix of 50% peanut butter and 50% Concrete takes care of the problem quite well (Terminal Constipation). Posted that in another forum once and the litte furry creature lovers were outraged. Just leave a gob of it somewhere and they
will eat it. Does not hurt the birds.
In the past I made Tags out of cut up beer cans to bury in the pots but fertilizer eats the metal. I have used venetian blinds - the paint keeps fertilizer from eating the metal - some are plastic these days.

[Albert Nakaji]

See if you can get some from Taiwan.

Thanks Van Deiman for the tip on the venetian blinds, I have seen people use the wider one before cut down the middle, but the newer style thin ones would be OK.

Thank god we do not have local monkey's around here to pull tags out of pots like orchids3 has - what other damage do they do. I assume they might like eating the flowers!

Albert, we can get labels printed up quite cheaply here even in small batches, but the problem is the thin material is hopeless in out high UV sunlight here, they literally disintegrate in less than a year.

Cheers

Gary..

[Gary S]

Now I get your drift orchids3.

Gary..