Natalie, I am glad that you brought up the subject of wasting tape. I found out very quickly how much tape the Brother P-Touch labeler wastes. If I have more than one daylily name to make on the labeler, I put 5 spaces between the names of the daylilies and then cut them apart after printing.

@mom2cjemma, what type of labels are you using? I use the Brother P-Touch TZe tapes that Natalie uses. They are the same as TZ tapes, Brother just changed the packaging a few years ago to be more environmentally friendly. The TZe tapes are very durable.

I am thinking that since some of us use the galvanized markers and yet have different experiences with the way they perform, it almost has to be a difference in our soils.

Also, as far as the labels fading, I am wondering (if we use the same type of labels) if it makes a difference if the label is facing more upward or at an angle. My marker plates face at a slight angle to the ground, but I have seen others that are facing more upwards. Just throwing that out there.

I see some are made of aluminum. Anyone have experience with aluminum and weather?

Vickie, I put only one space between names since I don't want a bunch of extra label on each end, and it works really good for me that way. It also wastes even less tape by putting one space. I've found that just one space is plenty.

I had an almost impossible time removing one of the labels once when I got rid of the plant and was going to reuse the label for another one! That tape sticks really well!

When I reuse the name plates, I flip them over and rebend the edges so the back becomes the front. Takes a little practice but I can do it pretty well using my work bench as a guide to bend the edges.

Natalie said:
For labels, I use a P-Touch label maker and I use the TZ tape with the strong adhesive. I've never had a label fade or fall off, and this is with a huge pile of snow on top of them, year after year, before moving to Idaho.

I agree with Natalie, also use the TZ tape with the strong adhesive, they never fade but after many years a few of them crack on the name plate then I replace them. To help prevent fading try facing your stakes to the north to reduce the amount of sun shining on the labels. When making labels I put more than one daylily name on the tape until I get a message that there is no more room plus I put four or five spaces between the names then cut them after printing. My labeler is an old brothers hand held which has been working for many years.

Natalie, you are right. I have been re-using name plates and that TZe tape sticks really, really good! I have just labeled over the top of the old label.

Larry, that is a fantastic idea! I will have to try reversing a few of my name plates.

I also use the P-touch system by Brother. Mine is the PT-2430 PC. I've had mine for several years and I think I paid about a $100 for it then. It was a wise investment for me, as I soon discovered that my inkjet labels just wouldn't cut it. I also use the extra strength adhesive tape, which seems to last several years. My latest step is to use an engraving tool and write the name of the plant on the small, bottom edge of the plate markers. By the way, I use Kincaid markers and I love them. I previously used aluminum style markers and they rusted at the ground level, as well as being easily bent. This does not happen with the stainless steel markers.
In case there is label fading or a critter removing a plant marker, I keep maps using a Microsoft Word document and I also add the location in the description section of the Plantstep program.
I am on a quest to keep NOID's from happening ever again. I have too many from those early years.


This picture shows.....just barely though....the use of the engraving tool on that small edge. This label is for Corelli by Munson and you can just make out the top of most letters above the copyright information.

Thank you Danial !

I use the galvanized steel ones and they are just fine although I am only going on 3 years. I am in zone 5 which is pretty cold and have had no issues with them. I make my labels on the clear Avery 5660 Laser Labels and good luck getting them off after you put them on unless you remove it right away. Seedfork - Good idea on flipping the label portion over - I did not even think of that! I just tossed 2 that I could not get the label off of and I am sure I could have flipped the edges. They are pretty bendable. I will say that they can be mangled - my landscaper has done it on occasion so I make sure and put my plant markers next to or behind my plants now for the ones that are near the border of my beds.

Have you had any issues with fading on the laser labels?

I have damaged a few markers and had to replace them, the critters destroy some occasionally also. Now I have made wire cages and am trying to work my markers inside the cage with the plant. Works fine now, but when spring comes I may not be able to see them due to all the new foliage growth. This should protect the plant markers from me and the critters. I am hoping as the plants mature that when bloom time comes the cage will be almost invisible and the blooms will be up above the cages. I do have some cages that are taller, I will just have to experiment with them and see how they work out.

What do you use for your cages Larry. I could use some for bunnies

Ginny, there is actual bunny fence that you can buy. This is what it look like, but I've never paid that much for it.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/t...

Many people bury a tag along with the daylily, if critters are a problem. It kind of stinks having to dig up the daylily to find out the name, but you would have no more NOID's that way. Thankfully I've never had to do that!

Humm...just looking at the photo I posted it looks like I should find an easy way to attach the nameplate to the cage. Then I would not need the stakes. I'll play with that idea tomorrow.

I'm not worried about the bunnies ruining the tag, they eat my plants!!

I knew that Ginny! Others have mentioned that critters take off with the tags, so that is why I mentioned it!

I've had bunnies living in my garden until this year, and they have never eaten any of the plants, other than the hollyhocks. It was really surprising! They are totally fenced out now. I actually don't mind them, but they attract rattlesnakes, so they had to go!

Hi Ginny,

Here is a link to a forum with discussion about plant markers and labels.

The thread "Paw Paw Everlast Label Company" in Daylilies forum

I don't have any pictures but the clear sprayed labels lasted about 2 years and need to be replaced. Something I will do very soon as I have about 45-50 new labels to create from this years additions.

I used to be able to find the TZ tape with the extra duty adhesive quite easily but lately I am having a hard time finding it. Any suggestions on where I can get it???

I use the Kincaid markers and the Ptouch with the UV resistant tape, had good luck finding the tape at office max and staples.

I have a Brother labeler that works with the computer. Anyway to reset it so it doesn't waste that 3/4 in between names