what is the best method of labeling palms ( in ground and in pots)

[Mohsen]

Hi all,

I hope everyone enjoying the weekend...

Today I notices almost all of my labeled ( plastic ones which I wrote them with a marker) has been faded so very soon  if not already late) I have to replace them...

That would be great if I can have some other ideas as it seems mine is not effective for a mid-long term

[BPK Palm Addict]

I've often wondered this myself.  Something inexpensive.

[Palm Tree Jim]

Good topic.....

So, I don't actually label each palm but what I did do was create a landscape map of my property. Then I divided it up using numbers (1-25 for each section).

As I add plants, I use an excel sheet to list the palm/plant and what section it was planted with other info as well (date planted, irrigation, ect...).

Just another alternative. For me, it was getting tough to remember the plants!

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

Paint pen for pots. the gold ones work very well on black pots.

[Tracy]

46 minutes ago, Palm Tree Jim said:

So, I don't actually label each palm but what I did do was create a landscape map of my property. Then I divided it up using numbers (1-25 for each section).

As I add plants, I use an excel sheet to list the palm/plant and what section it was planted with other info as well (date planted, irrigation, ect...).

There was a garden on one of the Palm Society of So Cal tours a couple of years ago, where the owner used a variation of this method.  He wrote numbers on large (4" -6") smooth cobble stones, and then had his "key" which had all the plants by number.  As Jim points out, if you add plants, your numbering can get a little goofy.  If  your yard isn't huge, you can break it down into sections and go to 3 digit zones.  The first digit is your zone, and second and third are arbitrary sequentially assigned.  That provides up to 100 plants per zone and 10 zones.  If you have a big yard, go to 4 digits.  Jim's use of a spreadsheet allows you to add, delete or even update when your favorite Dypsis gets assigned a new name (again).  

I'm using stakes with labels since my sons bought me gift certificates to order them online.  It was impossible to turn down such a creative gift.

[Mohsen]

34 minutes ago, TexasColdHardyPalms said:

Paint pen for pots. the gold ones work very well on black pots.

It works fine for me too only if the pots are inside, when they our outside and they will be under rain ...and after a while the writtens would be faded

[GDLWyverex]

I print out the info on my laser printer then laminate. That way it doesn't fade and is water proof. I can punch holes in the laminated card and hang it in the plant or silicon the card to a plastic knife and put it in the dirt. Home depot sells the laminators in different sizes. I use a small one. I print the info in such a manner that I can fold the result and have the same label on front and back,

This one measures 2" x 5" and has been arouung for about 2 years

[Ben in Norcal]

Three strategies:

1. Proper labels made by Gary Wood.  http://www.plantsigns.com/

2. Impress-O-Tags metal labels that impress when you write on them.

3. PENCIL on regular plastic labels.  Pencil does not face like Sharpies etc. do.

[DoomsDave]

40 minutes ago, Ben in Norcal said:

Three strategies:

1. Proper labels made by Gary Wood.  http://www.plantsigns.com/

2. Impress-O-Tags metal labels that impress when you write on them.

3. PENCIL on regular plastic labels.  Pencil does not face like Sharpies etc. do.

1. Trouble with these is that they fade after a while, especially in the sun. That said, they're far and away the prettiest way to go. Nothing tops them for that spiffy look.

2. You can't change these, alas. They can also get smushed under Lummoxen^TM feet. (Like mine.)

3. Perfect, in general. For pots it's the way I go. Some labels are waxy and hard to write on, but still worth it.

4. Another way is to use the P-Touch labeling system on either plastic labels or metal stakes. While not quite as elegant as Gary's they have the huge advantage of not fading, always looking neat, and best of all, you can peel off an old label and stick on a new one. Ralph Velez uses these on metal stakes in his garden.

5. I don't like writing on the pots; it's too easy to forget to change it, and too hard to actually do it. The little stake labels can just be stuck in pots.

[Mohsen]

4 hours ago, GDLWyverex said:

I print out the info on my laser printer then laminate. That way it doesn't fade and is water proof. I can punch holes in the laminated card and hang it in the plant or silicon the card to a plastic knife and put it in the dirt. Home depot sells the laminators in different sizes. I use a small one. I print the info in such a manner that I can fold the result and have the same label on front and back,

This one measures 2" x 5" and has been arouung for about 2 years

Thanks Richard

it is a effective method I might give it a try :)

[Cindy Adair]

I use smaller metal labels that imprint with a ball point pen. They last in my jungle and a box of 500 is convenient and allows for writing on both sides. Frostproof.com is one source.

I stick them in the pots and then when the plant is large enough I use the included metal wires to attach.

When the plant goes into the ground I make a second label that goes with the wire through a hole I drill in a PVC pipe.

As trees get bigger (and now I am in residence to somewhat minimize vines) I plan to make the PVC pipes shorter so much less ugly. I already use gray rather than white PVCs.

Of course then I will have to bend over more to read the names but I guess that's just more exercise. 

I like all the data about source and date planted and common name along with the Latin.

I do have an inventory with location description and am working on basic GPS too as back ups for the next generation.

For big palms with no fronds in reach, I plan to use the twisted wire holding same metal tags (wire is wound around pencils encircling the trunks) imitating Fairchild Gardens. Especially good for other trees where the trunks expand dramatically. Right now just the PVCs for these.

A friend did give me a white wax pencil good for writing on the sides of black pots, so I use that as well in my shadehouse.

[miamicuse]

I have been trying to find a good way to label my plants, both in ground and in pots.

Due to being in a flood prone zone, I no longer use any labels that's staked to the ground.  April of 2023, we had 26" of rain in less than 6 hours.  The river rose up and the streets got severely flooded, cars floated away, the airport closed due to runway submerging.  My exterior receptacles mounted at 16" above grade was submerged, garage got flooded. I measured the water mark at 2" higher than a five gallon bucket.  They said oh it's a 1000 year occurrence, then it came back again in November of 2023, but the water height was about 10" above grade, and happened again two weeks ago.  I guess these unusual never before seen climate events are becoming new normal.  Anyway, the point is, when the entire street is flooded with say 8" of water at the crown of the road, you have idiots that still drive pass with an big wheel SUV at a speed of 45mph, the vehicle creates a wake that pushes the water towards your house 6" or so higher.  We had houses in the neighborhood that otherwise are higher than the water level but the wake pushes the water higher thus intruding the houses.  I have a 15'X8' planting bed outside that is raised with 13"WX6"LX4"D concrete bricks stacked 4 high, these bricks got dislodged and collapsed when hit by the wake.  The reason I mentioned this is all the in ground labels with stakes whether it's metal pipe or wooden stakes doesn't matter they all got pulled off the ground and scattered everywhere after the few floods I had.  So whatever labeling method it needs to be a tag attached to a higher point of the plant, not anchored into the ground next to it.

I read the various plant labeling threads in here and I think I will just get a ptouch label maker.  It seems to make labels that last and not fade over time.  However when I look up these ptouch label makers I realize there are many ptouch products so I got confused again.  Some specific questions for those who use this label maker,

(1) Do most ptouch label maker use the same tape, I know they come with different widths and different colors, I don't envision ever needing colorful tapes with glittering gold it will be white tape with black lettering only.

(2) Do I need special tape for outdoor that water and sun resistant?  I saw mention of a resin or vinyl coated tape but don't know much about it.

(3) I have seen a nursery with a paper tag where it's printed on both sides.  One side has the nursery name and contact information, the other side has the plant information.  Is this something a ptouch label maker can do with double sided labels?

Specifically I am considering the ptouch CUBE or may be CUBE PLUS.

Thanks!

[PalmatierMeg]

I got sturdy plastic tags and bought soft graphite lead artist pencils to write. Eventually rain and sun will cause the tags to fade but you can refresh them. You can also reuse tags. I bought art erasers made in Germany to remove unwanted graphite markings then write the new ID.

[Cindy Adair]

I now have hundreds of plant labels made using this p touch printer.

and the Brother one inch wide tape TZE  which truly does seem water and sun resistant. The label sticks very securely to the stainless steel markers I love, but also can be removed.

I did choose that particular printer because I wanted room for full Latin names that would be legible in photos and without leaning over as I walk by.

The haze over the label in the photo below is NOT discoloration of the label. It is dirt that wipes off in a second or glare from the sun.
 

The one inch wide tape is the widest version made. I wish there were room for more information without tiny print, but with the numbers I need that would be cost prohibitive. 

I use the labels even for seedlings in pots since I can just transfer the label and plate to a much taller marker holder

https://store.kincaidplantmarkers.com/pages/7/About-Us

 

when ready to plant out. The smaller holder is just used on the next seedling pot with a new label plate. 

The plastic markers I have tried break or disappear over time in my tropical conditions. 

The sturdiest grade of stainless steel ones I use now have survived flooding and one hurricane so far. 
 

Oh, it is pleasant for me to take a phone photo of whatever label comes with plants or purchased seeds. Then when dark or raining I return inside and print the labels and stick them on the markers.  

I do try to check for name changes and spelling on reputable internet sites. However if I make mistakes I have only spent 30 cents on the 3.5 inch strip of one inch tape. 
 

By the time I put the new markers in place usually I have learned the name.