Use a #2 pencil. That lasts a VERY long time.

#2 pencil on plastic tags lasts the longest...

Ditto on the #2 pencil.

masking tape and a sharpie on the pot. I mark on the pot without the tape. Rubbing alcohol removes the sharpie if I want to re-use the pot later. Never had one fade

Clara

As above, pencil.

It's also easy to remove with a scouring pad if you reuse labels like I do.

Buy tags from the horticultural printers as they NEVER break! and use a staedtler hb pencil they are pricy but work the best!

Bryan

PS also use 2 tags and sink one writing side out into the potunder the media so if a tag fades or is removed you still know what it is

I know it sounds too simple to be true, but pencil lasts longer than ink. That's why expensive limited edition prints are pencil signed. Ink will sun fade. My favorite tags are made from venetian blinds. I bought them at a thrift store for next to nothing and snip them as I need them. These happen to have a thin metal base with a white finish fused to them. Only 1 has broken in 7 years. Most of the plastic ID tags sent by professional orchid greenhouses tend to get brittle in about 3 to 5 years. Altho the idea of burying a second tag in the media is Brilliant!
Sherlene

I agree with the blinds idea...I use my old horizontal blinds. The plastic used to make them is already treated to resist sun rot and one side usually has a matte finish that is great for writing on.

FWIW - no matter how permanent the lead or ink is on a label, it won't mean squat if the tag itself is not securely fastened to the plant. Last year, I did a walk-around of the yard just before leaving for a week's vacation. During the night, several benches of cymbidiums and laelias had blown over - many of the plants out of their pots and labels scattered all over. All I could do was quickly gather them up, collect the tags and put the whole mess into milk crates so they would not blow over again while we were gone. I now have many NOID's and am in the process of attaching all my labels to each plant.

I've been thinking of making my plants "dog tags" using old metal blinds and etching the info on them using a Dremel tool. Haven't gotten around to trying it yet, though. Have too many other "ideas" I'm working on. Maybe this summer when it's too stinkin' hot to do anything else. L

My previous batch of labels had a rough side for pencil, but the new batch is smooth on both sides and I am seriously annoyed. They were otherwise perfect......

so I am now testing out a metal tape embosser:

{{gwi:157760}}

here is a link to the labels i use. They are the best plastic and will not break even after years and years in the sun!

Bryan

Here is a link that might be useful: Best plant stakes

Brian, those are stakes. Besides the tag, I number each plant and mark the pot with a laundry marker. Each plant I have is assigned a # and I keep an index card on the plant. It has helped, but when I reuse a pot, I have to remember to cross out the old # and add the new one. I keep losing tags. The numbers on the pots help.

Jane

Thanks to all. I would not have believed the pencil would last longer. I'll use them in the future. I had to laugh at the blind plastic as I've been using it here in Mexico for the last three years. Heavy duty from vertical blinds that were left over when I remodeled this house. Thanks...george

That link did not work well, if you click on plant stakes and then click on pot stakes you will see the 'stakes' or tags that i use for my labels

Bryan

I like the metal embossr...I use a plastic one from the same company and they seem to work well. when attached to a plastic tag. But the metal seems a much better idea. Where did you find your's?

Dave
Milwaukee