I have never had a #2 pencil fade, no matter how many years. I make my labels from vinyl mini blinds. I pay $4.50 for a mini blind at WalMart and get about 400 labels from the blind. The vinyl is made to resist sunlight (for obvious reasons) forever. Also, the label is wide enough to put a lot of information. Especially when you can't print small like me!! Joe, Oceanside, CA On Mar 14, 2012, at 4:10 PM, Hannon wrote: > Joseph, I agree that pencil is best. Tried and true and simple. The key to > label longevity is to HIDE THE LABEL as much as possible, so that just the > top edge shows, whether in the open garden or in containers. If you have an > accession number system, be sure to write the number (or most critical > info) at the bottom of the tag as well as the top end. Info on a buried > label or portion thereof is nearly invulnerable to most disturbances. > > I have gone through many thousands of labels and have settled on > vinyl-based material and pencil writing. Labels do not need to be visible > for horticultural practice and 'hiding' them eliminates most of the > problems of longevity. > > Dylan Hannon > Los Angeles CA > > On 14 March 2012 10:26, Joseph Kraatz <plantnut@cox.net> wrote: > >> After trying every possible labeling I have come to the conclusion that >> the simple #2 pencil is by far the best. Joe, Oceanside, CA >> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/