Labeling ideas
Laura & Dave (Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:08:18 PST)

Thought I'd throw in my two cents worth.
The way I combat broken, faded and critter dislodged labels is to write
the information on the label twice, the top inch having enough
information to identify the plant, sowing date and source. When I plant
seed, I snip off this top portion and put it into the bottom of the
pot. It doesn't fade underground. The other trick to the labels, is
that I write the first four letters of the genus and the first four of
the species across the top of the remaining portion of the label, on
each side. This is the only part sticking out of the soil, so the rest
of the information remains pliable and readable. Yes, it's a bit of
extra work, but I don't lose information, at least not without doing
something stupid (who, me?)

The other thing I recently discovered, while repotting and/or potting on
several hundred different plants, was the silver colored ink pen made by
Sharpie. Rather than set plants in groups, thinking that I'll make the
labels shortly (which of us hasn't said THAT), I just wrote on the pot.
The ink (more like paint) seems to be quite permanent, easy to read, and
since I plunge most of my pots in sawdust, won't fade from the sun. I
don't have to worry about stopping work to write labels. I can easily
go back and write labels when I can't be outside or when not so busy.

Dave Brastow
Tumwater,Washington - Back in the 40s F., after a week below freezing -
3 nights at 6 F. I hope something survived.