Name tags

[CTB]

I use plastic name tags to mark and number my orchids. Between the chemicals, cold, wind, rain, sun, and heat they crack and fall off. Is there a better product that lasts?

Do you put an extra tag in the bottom of the pot when repotting, so there's never a new NOid because of a lost tag.?

Last week I spent half a morning doing a process of elimination on a orchid that suddenly had no tag. I was able to run it down, but what a pain. (Thank goodness for my notebook) I thought about marking the actual pot (clay) but didn't know what I could use, that I could get off if repotting.

[BobInBonita]

I gave up on name tags. I use stainless steel washers that I stamp with a three digit serial number. I attach the washer with thin copper wire. Since I grow 95% in baskets, it is very easy to attach the wire. I have to refer to my log to find out what is what, but I carry a copy of my log's table of contents on my Blackberry, so it is easy to look up when I'm in the garden (or about to make an impulse purchase). For those orchids that still have the original plastic tag, I make a small hole in the tag and attach it behind the stainless washer. I also try to take a picture of the plant with the tag and stainless washer to include in my log.

[CTB]

That sound kind of interesting, What do you use to stamp with?

[BobInBonita]

I picked up a set of stamps at Harbor Freight (also have at Northern Tool and most hardware stores).

It's kind of a pain, but you just pick a number and hit it with a hammer, so three hits for three digits.

The stainless is pretty hard so it takes a good whack, but it will never corrode. If you could find aluminum washers it would be easier.

You could also try one of those little vibrating engraving tools, but my penmanship is terrible with a pen and totally illegible with those.

[lycaonpictus]

I'm liking this idea! What do you use as a log on your Blackberry? Just a spreadsheet? Or a particular program?

[Ray]

Vinyl is better for UV stability than polystyrene, which is what many plastic labels are made from.

I also have some that are polyester (in sheets printable via a laser printer) that appear to be even better.

As Bob says, metal will be the best, but I think his embossed SS washers may be a bit in the "overkill" category.

Brother P-Touch labels (black text on white) are by far the most durable method of printing, but the substrate you stick it to needs to be just as good. I have seen folks use venetian blind slats or aluminum cans cut into strips, and they last forever.

[got ants]

I've had the same problem Carol. Looking on the web (GOOGLE) I found these....

Aluminum Marking Tags -- Box of 100, Plant Markers & Tags - GEMPLER'S

100 for $17, for a permanent label = purdy goot toomee.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Instead of stamping with a hammer. My father usually uses a tool that he uses to etch his name onto things made of various kinds of material including metals.

You might want to look into that.

[CTB]

The idea of etching a washer sounds like a plan. I have a small Dremel tool that I think I can etch with. I'll give it a try, just a few at a time.

Does anyone bury a marker or mark the pot? Thanks guys!

[jaxorchidman]

CTB, I haven't had mine long enough for them to get frail and break. I do however repot all of my plants when I receive them and stick a new thick plastic name tag that you usually find at the local box store in with the plant. I don't bury anything or use metal tags, although 'ants' has a very ice link and I am thinking about going that route. Good luck! See you in the FL board.