Plant Markers

[Thepodpiper]

Just curious what everyone is using to mark their BB's and fruit trees with? I am getting to the point where it is getting very difficult to remember what is what. I'm looking for something that looks nice and is permanent.

[pppldj]

Aluminum sheet metal makes good and permanent plant markers. They are easy to stamp or write on, where the writing is not for ink, but to engrave the name on the marker. Cutting strips from a soda can makes fine marker material.
Also, see this thread : http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...chyard-mapping
Be sure to make a back up in case your computer crashes and dies.

[pppldj]

The strips may not be your definition of looks nice.

[Thepodpiper]

Looking for something a little more rigid but not going to count it out just yet. Thanks

[Sarahkt]

I like Impress-o-tags. Same principle and looks great and easy to read forever, look nice on all the trees. I tried using a copper version earlier, lasted only a few months before tarnishing so badly they were illegible.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQMQ4TO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

[Merle]

I use scrap metal flashing from work, but yeah I agree with Sarah, impress-o-tags are so easy, professional looking and hidden. I just wanted large tags so when I send one the kids out to pick something, it's easier for them to find and learn the cultivar.

[Thepodpiper]

Something just occurred to me, I have a sign installation business and have all the 0.80 aluminum I need and more. Thanks everyone.

[efletche]

I am still a newbie and money it too tight to be buying these aluminum tags (which look great!!). I have been taking the plastic drink cups from the fast food places and cutting them into long strips that I slide down the inside of each pot. I use a permanent marker to identify what is growing. So far, the plastic is not becoming brittle in Florida's weather, nor is the writing starting to fade. Of coarse all my plants are in pots. I figure if and when I start placing them in the ground, I will reconsider these aluminum tags.

[chuckell]

I am still a newbie and money it too tight to be buying these aluminum tags (which look great!!). I have been taking the plastic drink cups from the fast food places and cutting them into long strips that I slide down the inside of each pot. I use a permanent marker to identify what is growing. So far, the plastic is not becoming brittle in Florida's weather, nor is the writing starting to fade. Of coarse all my plants are in pots. I figure if and when I start placing them in the ground, I will reconsider these aluminum tags.

you can make metal tags from pop cans,i use sheet alumnium ,and scratch writing in with a nail

[jmaler]

Here is something I saw on fb I thought was a good idea

https://www.facebook.com/groups/growingfig/permalink/1031571200250814/

[Gina]

For many of my pots, I use cut up sections of mini blinds. I've used both aluminum which last, and more lately vinyl which seem to be holding up outside. I mark with pencil on both sides and make sure the writing is on the shady side of the pot. Used blinds can be found at yard sales for not much.

For my blueberries I've gone to using aluminum that I ordered from an art supply place. It's for embossing so it's thick but soft. If I recall, it comes in colors. I cut it with an old paper cutter. It holds up better than soda cans (which have torn), yet you can still write on it with just an old ball point pen. I attach with vinyl coated ss picture framing wire (easy on the fingers). Ive found the cut aluminum can be sharp on the edges or corners, so if you have little kids, I'd use something else.

[Thepodpiper]

blinds work excellent for my 4 inch pots i have been doing it for many years.

The pencil writing lasts for years and years outside. I rototill them up all the time and get a kick seeing what I have planted in the garden years past.

[jmaler]

I use white plastic id tags I buy at the garden shop. I write on them with #2 pencil. This works great for 4" pots of tomatoes. I thought figs needed something that could be attached to the tree and/pot if that happens to be the case. The pop can looked like a good idea except after thinking about it a bit the sharp edges may cut into the bark when blown around by the wind.

I presently buy aluminum and copper tags with attaching wire made for this purpose. This works ok. I just thought the pop cans would save a little money if a person had the time to make them.

[WillsC]

I use this http://www.amazon.com/DYMO-Tapewrite...el+maker+steel with stainless steel tags.......love that machine.

[Thepodpiper]

I really like that wills.

[WillsC]

It works very well.

[jmaler]

I use this http://www.amazon.com/DYMO-Tapewrite...el+maker+steel with stainless steel tags.......love that machine.

Four Amazon reviews claim feeding issues with this unit. Wills have you experienced any issues with your unit and if so how did you address the problem?

[WillsC]

Jerry,

I have had no issues with it not feeding. I have dropped it in the sand repeatedly it has been forgotten and left in the rain a few times and still works as intended.

[Gr8Figs]

I use this http://www.amazon.com/DYMO-Tapewrite...el+maker+steel with stainless steel tags.......love that machine.

I started using a Dymo last year.

The only time that I have trouble with the feed is when little pieces of metal jam the feed mechanism.The bits are from the aluminum tape when the embossing letters/numbers break through the tape.The stainless steel tape is tougher and less malleable so there is not a problem when using it. The punch hole metal pieces can get in the feed if you don't clear them out of the Dymo.

The deer chew the aluminum tags up and ruin them...the stainless steel tags are less tasty too them .

I use electric fence wire to attach the tags to trees/plants.

[WillsC]

Barry the device has a pressure adjustment so if it was breaking through the aluminum did you try reducing the pressure? I like the SS tape much better.

[Gr8Figs]

I didn't know that.I will take a better look at it.

I'm pretty well set with a good supply of SS tape.

Thanks for the advice!

[newnandawg]

I use these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152010706132?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[WillsC]

Four Amazon reviews claim feeding issues with this unit. Wills have you experienced any issues with your unit and if so how did you address the problem?

Jerry,

I wanted to update this.........I ran out of stainless steel tape for it a few weeks back and forgot to order more. Recently needed a tag and had to use an aluminum roll of tape. It was awful......I had all sorts of advancement issues. I figured it was dirty inside but before i tore it down to clean it I figured I would order more stainless steel tape. Took the aluminum tape out and put the stainless in and it worked flawlessly. So my conclusion is the reviewers were using the aluminum tape which is much cheaper. It must be that with the aluminum the machine needs to be kept very clean with the SS not so much. I have left the machine out in the rain, a oops..have dropped it in the sand lol. I love the thing. I double over one end and crimp it then put it back in the slot to punch the hole for the wire.

[lilfiggy]

thanks for the tips. to secure tags to your plants try the thin plastic coated wire found in the floral section of your craft store. It is used for securing floral stems in your floral arrangements. It is very durable easy to work with and can be cut with ordinary scissors.