gardenglassgems said: I know what you mean, Marilyn, about getting the Brother tape off the markers. I have found that to be an almost impossible task. I tried using an exacto knife or similar but that can be dangerous. I also purchased tape with black lettering on clear tape. Big mistake. 
I can't wait to get it used up and go to a colored tape background.
The last couple of days I went around to all my Iris inspecting them and found lots of bloom stalks coming but also a lot of rot. Not sure what the reason for the rot is. I have some Iris to pot up and try to save a rhizome or two. As soon as I see them bloom, I am going to verify that their name tag is correct. Then the ones with rot will be getting removed. I have never fertilized my Iris and was wondering if that could be a reason for rot. I don't even want to think about it being due to the Iris borer. 
They seem dry enough so don't think it is due to dampness. 
Go back and re-read my entry, and the next time that you have to remove labels, try my method as described: 2-3 detergent pods, hot water, labels (on the markers) soaking at least overnight (or maybe up to 24 hrs), and you'll find it a lot easier. I use one (rounded) pointed end of one marker (you can use a butter knife) to lift/dig up that first corner of the label on a second marker, and then I can just easily peel it off by hand. See if that doesn't make a positive difference.
I agree that black tape on a clear label is a garden disaster
; that is why I still have some more labels to remake. I threw out that roll of tape, because garden labels are almost the only thing that I use the Brothers labels for (and for my few other odds and ends labeling needs, I also need a high contrast label, and that black-on-clear just isn't).
Sorry that you are suddenly having trouble with rot, Jeanne.
I hope that you can solve that problem.
I know what you mean about fungus gnats inside, though aphids have not been much of a problem for me, because mostly I am only growing seedlings inside. Aphids have only been a problem due to imported infestation on new rhizomes, which can sit around inside (in a/c comfort) for quite a while before finally being potted.
Our big indoor insect problem has been, is, and always will be ants (specifically the Argentine ant, which the Bay Area is infested with), but now that I've finally proved to DH that he's the source of much of our problems there (spills, crumbs, carelessly tossing ant-attracting food scraps etc. into the garbage without bagging first), things have been much more pleasant. (They still keep invading our bathrooms, though, probably in search of water.
)
So... I went outside this morning (before my garden helper arrived) and took a picture of the maybe SEISMIC ZONE, and sniffed it again. It
may have a slight fragrance, but I wouldn't describe it as "pronounced sweet" at all.
More like a faint musk, or musk+spice scent.
Drat it, I guess an email to the nursery is in order. (Fwiw, I also question the "gold wire rim" part of the registration description, but I guess that it means an entirely different thing in the iris world, than it does in the daylily world.)
TB 'Seismic Zone' ...maybe...probably...
Finally, your gratuitious non-iris image of the day!
Amaryllis 'Marilyn' shown with my "Back Door Pink" pellie. This is now the
second round of bloom on this amaryllis. It arrived back in December, had to be put outside due to ants going after the pot, bloomed earlier this year (when we still had rain) and now it is blooming AGAIN!
