For several years, we have been using a laser printer and Avery Clear Mailing Labels to create labels for our daylilies and seedlings, and have been very satisfied with the results. Many of those labels have been in the garden for over 5 years, and are as clear and legible as the day they were printed. This fall, as we were planting new seedlings, our supply of labels ran out. When we went to the office supply, they were out of the Avery labels, so we substituted with 3M 3400-C, which are advertised as compatible with the Avery 5660/5160. Within 5 days, the print had washed off virtually every label. It didn't dissolve, but simply slid off the label! I reported the problem to 3M, and they advised that they would review the product with their engineering, and offered a full refund of the purchase price.
Bottom line - if you use a similar method for creating labels, I strongly advise you to avoid the 3M product, and stick with the Avery labels.

Thanks for the heads up!

How disappointing for you though! Did you have a backup method for identifying the seedlings or are they mostly unknown crosses now?

I've been considering different label options lately. For years I've used the the Avery White Permanent Durable Labels (the ones that say "Durable I.D Laser Labels" on the sheets) and they last really well. I love them, but up here in Canada I can't find the size I need, so I'm considering trying Uline's Weather Resistant Laser Labels (model no. S-16643) next time. They advertise that they're recommended for vinyl drums, outside inventory or nursery flower pots and are made with tear-resistent polyester to repel moisture--so they better hold up! (If anyone has tried them I'd love to hear how they worked out for you.)

When we started planting, we were out of labels, so many of the crosses were identified with temporary venetian blind/sharpie markers, and we discovered the problem before all the laser labels were completely illegible. We were able to identify all but 34 of the 189 plantings (a few were educated guesses from the process of elimination), so, yes, there are some unknown crosses out there. Next time, we will 'map' the plantings as we go instead of waiting until it is complete.

Thanks for the heads up

Thanks for posting as I use laser labels and I've been tempted to stray from Avery for a less expensive generic brand.

I wish I could get someone here to help with laser printing for me this winter. I have the Avery labels and the stakes. A BB daylily will be the reward (up to $40 including shipping)! Just tell me what I need to do. Please!

lilylady said:I wish I could get someone here to help with laser printing for me this winter. I have the Avery labels and the stakes. A BB daylily will be the reward (up to $40 including shipping)! Just tell me what I need to do. Please!

It's easy if you have PlantStep. Just click "labels' select the all the daylilies or individual ones you want to label, and print.

dormantsrule said:

It's easy if you have PlantStep. Just click "labels' select the all the daylilies or individual ones you want to label, and print.

Ah, but I don't have PlantStep, and I don't have a laser printer!!!

Weatherproof labels need to be run on a laser printer. If you would like me to run them for you, send me a tree mail.

Folks, I bought weather proof labels for an inkjet printer.I spent months last year trying to find these and just tripped across them one night on a whim of searching one more time. I put some out in March of this year and they look brand new. I did go outside today to check to just make sure. So far, they are holding up really great. these are in pots that were watered everyday during the heat. They are applied to plastic mini blind pieces. I'll post the link and if you're interested, check them out.

http://www.onlinelabels.com/Pr...

I did forget to mention one thing. If you do get them, be very careful for a few minutes to let them dry. (this in in the directions for using) They will smear if you don't.. I printed more than one page at a time and this is ok, no problems of them stacking on top of each other. It's just the handling that will cause them to smear. Once they are dry, they are great.

I would be a little hesitant to try Ink Jet labels, since in most cases the inks are water soluble, but I'm sure there have been technological advances since I last tried them. I once made the mistake of printing a sheet of labels with a laser printer on some InkJet labels, and they didn't last very well. Also, I once tried printing some labels in different colors (black for dips, blue for tets) to make them easier to spot in the garden. Although the blue stayed on the labels, it faded in the sun, and became more difficult to read at a distance.
If you don't have a laser printer, you might check with Office Depot or Office Max. At one time, they would print labels for you if you brought in a copy of the file (cd, thumbdrive, etc.) and purchased the labels.