"Permanent Markers" that don't fade

[Discus]

One of the things the fish collection over the road from where I work has found to be the most reliable is not only to do duplicate labels (which do fade over time, and they've tried lots of different products; their main labels are currently printed (laser I think, maybe some kind of thermal transfer) onto waterproof "paper"), but also to toss an old-fashioned Dymo-tape tag (the ones that emboss on thickish plastic tape strips) with the calalogue number into the jar; this is a pretty harsh environment (60% propanol or 70% ethanol), and it seems to work quite well. The embossing will last pretty well IMO - you can simply punch a small hole into the tape, and tie it on to your plant as you wish; you can type out the whole plant name or else have some kind of catalogue number you can refer to. You could do something similar by embossing small metal tags (like you sometimes see in botanic gardens) with a catalogue number and attaching securely; I saw a post somewhere where someone's labelling efforts had been mostly in vain after a hurricane swept through their greenhouse (erk!); they've taken to physically tying labels on to the plant, rather than just sticking one in the pot.

My plant labels are in permanent marker on one side and soft (6B) graphite pencil on the other side, or whatever came with the plant. I've taken to roughening the labels up with sandpaper before writing on them; you get more ink/pencil laid down this way, although it may get more dirty with time. I guess you could try painting over with some kind of varnish/nail polish perhaps.

My collection is still small enough that I can pretty much remember what everything is... Keeping something like a blog of your plants makes you keep a record off-site of all your plant names and flowers; I also find writing about the names helps me to remember them.

[Ray]

Pencil can smear, and all plastic will degrade with UV exposure over time, so even engraving them is a relatively short-term fix.

I use two methods: One is to laser-print on sheet label stock. In ~5 years of doing that, I see no fading. The other is the use of P-Touch labels.

There is no question in my mind that a Brother P-touch label (black text on white) is THE most permanent solution, other than embossing metal tags. I have a P-touch label on the cap of my truck as a test. It has been there for 7 years, been exposed to all sorts of weather and car-washing, and has even been kept outside of the garage since I got a new car in April 2008. A couple of the corners are peeled back very slightly, but the text looks good as new.

[Daethen]

I was going to suggest the light weight aluminum tags that you can emboss with a pen. The pen ink is not what you see, just that the pressure is enough to put the words into the metal.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Paul

While it is yet more time consumed cateloging, you might -- as yet an additional backup -- photograph each orchid as it comes into bloom (foliage as well as bloom) and then label the picture with the correct name. Stored on a CD or flashdrive, such a catelog will not take up much room.

I do this as well. The foliage is important, sometimes an orchid can be recognised just from the exact shape of some of the leaves, even being able to tell between individuals of the same orchid.

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Pencil is generally what will last the longest.

Originally Posted by phragguy1585

I use a pencil works great. it is a Sanford,Design Ebony,jey black extra smooth,#14420

Amazing! Pencil? You would think the pencil is the most "erasable" writing instrument! But everybody agrees on this.

The pencil is the best, simple, durable and cheap.

I'll get some pencils with the above characteristics tomorrow.

Thanks to all!

Rodrigo

[Des]

I have tried just about everything over the years, but nothing beats an HB pencil

[JPO]

Labels can be expensive, so I have resorted to using 1" venetian blind slats and cutting them down to the length that I want. I use #2 pencil to write on the tag and a cheap one hole paper punch to put a hole near the top to attach a wire to put a 2nd or 3rd tag on the hanger. I put the orchid name, my file number and date potted on the tag. A one inch tag has a lot of room. I also use another tag to record bloom dates of the orchid, Where do you get the slats? From neighbors who are tossing them or a decorator who might have used ones.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by rodrigo

Amazing! Pencil? You would think the pencil is the most "erasable" writing instrument! But everybody agrees on this.

While it's very easy to rub off or smudge pencil on a label, labels usually aren't subject to enough mechanical abrasion in a pot to rub pencil marks off the label.
It's usually exposure to UV light, water and (depending on your mix) acids that will cause labels to fade and pencil is reasonably resistant to these stresses.

In saying that I prefer printing the label with a P-touch (have to thank several years of Ray championing the P-touch for inspiring the switch from pencil). Pencil is long lasting but it's not that easy to read.

[rodrigo]

Originally Posted by Ray

There is no question in my mind that a Brother P-touch label (black text on white) is THE most permanent solution

Hi Ray,
Can you provide the Model of your Brother P-Touch labeler?

Thanks,

Rodrigo

[cday2inflorida]

1st - Why in the world are plant tags so expensive? The cost is ridiculous.

2nd - Never assume you will remember the name of a plant. An orchid alliance all look pretty much alike. I've learned this one the hard way.

3rd - A good pencil never seems to fade. I find the tag will disintegrate long before the penciled writing.