myco Posted September 4, 2014 i dunno if this should really be here didnt know where else to put it the labels are on cacti so i just came straight here if mod wants to move it to somewhere more appropriate that would be great anyway im always having my names on my labels fade my hothouse is not as much of a problem as theyre all pretty protected in there however everything outside is constantly fading even with a permanent marker its really starting to piss me off now as i just cant keep up with it sometimes i've just found a whole bunch of trich X's and all the labels have faded i cant even read half of them to rewrite the names has somebody got some better way of keeping track of whats what some kind of magical pen that doesnt fade away this is driving me insane haha rant over please help me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Optimystic Posted September 4, 2014 someone was talking bout a special pencil... i forgot what tho... I have a ton of grafts in styro and I write on them with ballpoint... the ink fails eventually, but it leaves an indention in the styro which is legible lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irabionist Posted September 4, 2014 hair spray over the tags should keep them from fading or maybe get some graffiti ink as it is made to last and to stain things and then put it in a small marker 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zed240 Posted September 4, 2014 I got some aluminum ones from ebay that are very very thin metal and when you write on them with a ball point pen it embosses/imprints them so they cannot possibly fade. (but you can't really re-use it for a different plant either). So i quite like those. After embossing/imprinting I usually trace back over it with a permanent marker so it's easier to read from a distance. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Plant-Labels-Metal-Tags-Australian-Quality-/140972887241?pt=AU_Pots_Planters&var=&hash=item20d2a38cc9 Disclaimer - I'm not the seller and I have no affiliation with them whatsoever. I'm sure this style is available elsewhere too. I also know some people (zelly, I think...), suggests using an aluminum drink can and cutting it up but that seems like too much hard work and it would be easy to cut yourself on it during the crafting process, but the end result is the same. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
watertrade Posted September 4, 2014 I used to use a pen but had and have the same problem. I now just use a pencil 2b or similar works well. And it doesn't fade. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zed240 Posted September 4, 2014 I used to use a pen but had and have the same problem. I now just use a pencil 2b or similar works well. And it doesn't fade. I've seen a few people say this about pencil but the ones I tried on plastic labels with pencil faded faster by far than any other methods I've used. I figured maybe the rain could be washing them off or something. It was a good thing I took pictures of the plants with labels in case I couldn't remember what they were. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spooge Posted September 4, 2014 I've seen a few people say this about pencil but the ones I tried on plastic labels with pencil faded faster by far than any other methods I've used. I figured maybe the rain could be washing them off or something. It was a good thing I took pictures of the plants with labels in case I couldn't remember what they were. I find graphite pencils the best, lick the tip n it will be dark as and last for ages Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted September 4, 2014 Pencil solves your Problem! Most people i know use em, if they don´t use laminated Computerwritten Labels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
machineelf Posted September 4, 2014 I use an engraver on the pot and dont use labels. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El Presidente Hillbillios Posted September 4, 2014 I use the paint type marker pens, they dont fade 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
myco Posted September 4, 2014 cheers for the suggestions guys i think i might try out those metal ones zed suggested for now but i think in the long run i might have to look into a decent printer i'd been considering it before it would be handy and easy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shortly Posted September 4, 2014 For pots i am keeping i use either old aluminium blinds and a harden steel scribe to write on them. Or 1.5 - 2mm UV stable plastic tags that i "write" on with a soldering iron, works great on aquatics as algae grow in the grove so a quick wipe & the name jumps out at you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halcyon Daze Posted September 4, 2014 I use a thick soft pencil like a 2B on plastic tags but I always sand the tags with medium - fine sandpaper before I write on them. The rough surface allows a thick layer of graphite to be laid down on the tag, which really seems to last. Sandpaper is also a good way to clean up old tags before writing on them again. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J Smith Posted September 4, 2014 Push the entire tag under the surface of the soil. Except the first 1-2 mm. The texta doesn't fade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted September 4, 2014 Putting clear nail polish over it would work i guess! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kapitän kamasutra Posted September 4, 2014 There are special markers with uv-proof ink, but they are $$. I used one when I was labeling trees in a botanical garden. 4 years after the lables are still readable ( the ones that didn't get stolen) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halcyon Daze Posted September 4, 2014 I've tried cutting up old coloured pots for labels. They are pretty good but they do tend to get brittle and eventually break. It would be good to re-use those black forestry tubes when the bottoms break out, I can't think of any other use for them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Cursive Posted September 4, 2014 Chinagraph pencil.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_pencil 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
solaritea Posted September 4, 2014 I use plastic knives ($.02 each) and wrap a few layers of aluminum tape around the top. I write on the blade with a Sharpie marker and put the blade in the soil. It doesn't fade when it's underground. I write on the foil with a pencil or pen and it leaves an indentation. Since most of the plastic is either underground or wrapped in aluminum tape, it doesn't degrade much in the sun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Berengar Posted September 4, 2014 I came up with a very low tech way to deal with that. I simply write a nuber on the pot with a marker pen, somewhere it's out of reach from sun and rain, and just make a list in txt document, assinging the number to a plant name, Lasts for years this way, and it's very easy to go over the fading numbers after a few years. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zelly Posted September 5, 2014 ^^ I initially gave that a go, but after awhile but quickly abandoned the idea as it wasnt helping the memory department.....trying to correlate a number to an assigned name.......when theres thousands of pots to keep track of.....and then i misplaced the listing.... nowadays plants in pots get plastic labels marked with lead pencils and plants in the ground get their picture taken & the picture is labeled. Several labeled photos can encompass an entire collection. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites