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Best Permanent Labels?

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Posted by denninmi 6A SE Michigan (My Page) on
Thu, Jun 25, 09 at 11:42

What would be the best way to permanently mark a number of peonies for future reference? I've never been too impressed with the metal inscribed type labels sold in garden centers. In-ground ones can pop out and get lost. Tie on types are OK for woody plants with permanent stems, but wouldn't work on herbaceous plants.

I ordered 4 collections of peonies from Wild coming this fall, with about 95 cultivars total. I want to be able to know for sure in the future what is what without having to try to guess from pictures and descriptions.

I figure for a backup, I will make some sort of planting diagram, but I still would like to have some type of permanent marker by each plant for easy reference.

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RE: Best Permanent Labels?

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  • Posted by dang zone 3 (My Page) on
    Thu, Jun 25, 09 at 12:12

Metal markers stuck in the ground are a good way to go. I like the tall ones named "Rose Markers" (see link below). I have not had them pop out of the ground, but they can become twisted under heavy snowpack. Mark them with labels printed by a Brother P-Touch using the TZ-131 sized tape. I like the clear tape with black print. The labels will last a longggggg time. There are other labelers on the market, but not all of the tapes are UV resistant. I used another kind last year and this spring I had about 50 faded/blank labels staring at me...

Here is a link that might be useful: Paw Paw Everlast Labels

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RE: Best Permanent Labels?

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Even if you use the labels make a diagram of what you plant. A helpful person could move the labels or in my case playful racoons and a 6 inch rain washed the labels on a slope away. With a diagram you can tell where to replace the labels.

If you use one of the gardening programs that are out there for the diagram always make a back up cd or a hard copy print. The way technology goes what ever system you use will not be accessable in 20 years.

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RE: Best Permanent Labels?

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The best metal markers I've found are from Kincaid Gardens. Their stakes are very thick stainless steel. The plates are stainless steel as well. These stakes are not the type that will get bent. There are very sturdy. I have had one plate get bent from someone stepping on it, but the marker was fine anyway. Hopefully no one will be stepping on yours! They aren't cheap, but I guess you get what you pay for!

I got their pamphlet with an order from Hollingsworth Peony Nursery. I think Don Hollingsworth uses these markers as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kincaid Gardens Plant Markers

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RE: Best Permanent Labels?

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I cant think of the name of the company but they make seals for tractor trailers. Those little plastic seals u see on the back of semis. U can have whatever u want on them. so if u put numbers on them just write down the number with the corresponding name of the plant. If u only need a few u can go to a local truckstop and by them. IF u know somebody that is a trucker they will probably have some. If u have them custom made u can get all different color ones.

i think the name of the company is jj kellerman? somethin like that.

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I have used and like the PawPaw labels linked above. There is free shipping too on plant label orders.

I then use printed labels make with a Brother P-Touch labeler found quite reasonable priced on Ebay.

A suggestion that was made to me about planting Daffodils so as to be assured the name is not lost, is to bury a white miniblind marker in the hole when the bulbs are planted. If and when they are divided, and/or moved, the name will be right there in with the bulbs when they are dug.

A diagram of some sort would help too, even if it just listed them as they are in a row.

I've started putting plant and bulb info on a Google Spreadsheet. That way the info won't be lost, like if I misplaced it here at home, or if my computer crashed...as has happened before without things backed up.

Luck you to be getting 95 new cultivars!

Sue...not very computer savvy

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RE: Best Permanent Labels?

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A trick that may or may not work in your soil if using miniblind markers is to place the printed side up. My soil does something to most ink but I have a few of these labels from others. I have found that if placed curved side up the print will last longer than if you place curve side down.

If you try this method you may want to experiment with various markers. Let them dry the put under soil in an area you can find. After about a month dig them up to see which ones are still readable. If you don't have any rain you may want to water a couple of times during the experiment.

  
 

 

 


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