Hi Dhukuray,
you could try a peice of old venetian blind wit a point on one end and write on inside with an engraver or marker and place facing away from sun. Good luck Peter

Hello dhukuray

I bought some aluminium tags a few years back, can't remember where. I had an alphabetic and number punch set from a previous hobby and had plans of using that on the aluminium tags as a permanent marker. I have just never got around doing it. My yard is small enough so I have a basic plan (made up before I started planting anyway)so when I plant something the name of which I want to remember, I mark its place and name on the plan. The usual tags from the nurseries somehow always seem to get lost or removed. I suspect birds take them but have no proof. I have tried burying them under the plant but weeding brings them up or else I can never find them again.

Cheers,
Frank

Hi there I use Venetians blind slats about 15cm ( 6ins ) long for all my markers, if they are to be tied to a tree, hubby drills holes one end for the string, might be the best idea for you as they would probably last longer.

I write on them with a Pilot Freezer permanent black marker pen, cost $4 from stationary section at Coles supermarket, dont know how permanent the ink is, but longer than six months so far.

Have you asked at a nursery as I think they have a white pen to write on the black pots it must be permanent of sorts, just a idea hope it helps....MM

Howdy.

I have been using a CD-R pen that is normally used for writing on blank CDs and DVDs. I haven't had any problems with it comming off at all.

You could carve the name into the bark...

You can buy aluminium (looking) plant tags from nurseries - this would be an expensive way to lable plants if you're planting lots of them.
You write on them with a sharp poing and the word is kindof etched into the tag.

Been trialling apparently indestructible tags off used feed bags; these can be cut into 6-8 strips and written on with thin felt pen. Feel free to email me if you'd like a sample sent.
Rose

On their way when I've rounded them up (my email back to you failed)
Cheers
Rose

Or you could ask your local GP to save used tongue depressors and write the name on them.
Tony

To nathan Hurst.
I just love your sense of humour, no really !

I have only questions; no answers!

I am surprised that there doesn't seem to be a commercial solution. The tags must be very tough, permanently marked, and hard to carry away. I think they must be engraved metal, and quite heavy.

If you write on whatever tag you use and then spray it with a clear sealer (available in most hardware and paint shops), it should last a lot longer. This is just an idea...I've never tried it, so there are no guarantees offered lol! Cheers,
Dee.

I have deliberated over tags for some time. I have written with thick black marker on white painted tomato stakes-this last for about 5 years.
The best is what the botanic gardens use- with engraved plastic with double layers one with white underneath and black on top. A friend at Mt Annan BG told me that these will eventually become brittle in the sun-but most of the time the label is mounted in partial shade.
I friend uses 4B pencil on ordinary pvc labels- the lead is inert and he has them lasting since 1996 when he had a SGAP meeting in his garden and you can still read the names well.
In my garden I have bought aluminium labels with copper wire. These are variable with one lot being alot harder to engrave into than the ones that I have just bought. I bought 3000 of these, they are $39 per 1000, lots cheaper than retail. I tie them onto each new tree I plant-write the name, date planted and where I got it from. The only downside to these is that the occasional Wallaby (Swamp Wallaby) chews them and they end up like they have been run over by a lawnmower.This doesnt happen too often- but now and then- I guess if you have them high enough or hidden a bit the damn Wallabies wont get them- its not a serious issue though.
When you drive up to my place at night there are hundreds of shining labels throughout the plantings!!
From Kris