Creating nametags for plants

SprigOfTheLivingDead

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Hey,

So I'm wanting to create a nametag for each of the trees I will be putting in the ground for my tree farm. The idea is to mark each tree, since they'll be in tree tubes, with a laminated card that identifies the species, an ID number (tracking & inventory purposes) and an indicator of the target year to sell. Now that sounds well and good but I know what normal ink will do in the sun: fade.

So, what ink out there won't fade in the sun if I use it to write on an index card and then laminate it? Or is there another option you suggest?
 

thistlebloom

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This is what I bought this year for a clients plantings.
https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/...emnum=79260&title=Double-Faced Aluminum Tags#

I like that you can write on both sides. But since you are recording a lot of info these bigger ones may work better.
https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/...emnum=79260&title=Double-Faced Aluminum Tags#

I guess I wouldn't trust lamination to weather reliably, but maybe it does.
These aluminum tags seem very affordable from this place. I did some shopping around (not a lot) but enough to make me give them a try.
I haven't used them yet, this will be the first year.
 

SprigOfTheLivingDead

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Huh. I did think about something similar but wasn't sure. I won't be writing a ton, more like "KCT000121" for a Kentucky Coffee Tree with and ID of #1 and a sell year of 2021
 

flowerbug

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i was wondering about something more like a textured barcode which would not change or fade no matter what the sun or weather did to it...

perhaps overkill... :)

i'll ramble on in a moment about some other thing i tried. give me a few to write it down...

ok, what i tried before which worked sort of, was i took colored beads and made a code sheet so that i would know what each bead in what order stood for.

the problem with those was that the plastic beads were not strong enough and they also faded.

after pondering various options i think the easiest way is to find some non-rusting metal numbered tags and then just keep the number to item translation chart on a tablet or written down. you could also keep a chart about where each item is planted as a cross check.
 
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flowerbug

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This is what I bought this year for a clients plantings.
https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/products.php?mi=11821&itemnum=79260&title:Double-Faced Aluminum Tags#

I like that you can write on both sides. But since you are recording a lot of info these bigger ones may work better.
https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/products.php?mi=11821&itemnum=79260&title:Double-Faced Aluminum Tags#

I guess I wouldn't trust lamination to weather reliably, but maybe it does.
These aluminum tags seem very affordable from this place. I did some shopping around (not a lot) but enough to make me give them a try.
I haven't used them yet, this will be the first year.

seem ok. hope they work out. :) let us know!
 

ducks4you

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HA!!!! Nametags are for LOSERS!!!!
Actually, I haven't tagged anything this year. I know what the seedlings of what I am growing look like. I will plant the cabbage and broccoli seedlings that survive ME and it will be a surprise when I see how they turn out. I know what spinach seedlings look like, and most of the flowers I am growing. Sugar snap peas and sweet peas are pretty distinctive.
The ONLY thing that you should know is that marking plastic markers with Sharpies works...for a few months, the then the markers wear off. I think we talked about this on a thread a few years back. Good Luck!
 

flowerbug

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ok, howabout a self-made tag?

tinfoil will hold what you scratch in it. so you can take the above aluminum wrapped thingys and adapt your own by wrapping card stock and using a blunt toothpick to write what you want on there.

as long as the crows don't find them too attractive... hmm, so make sure to use the dull side of the tinfoil facing out...

worth a try mebbe. :)
 

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