I started counting stalks as a way of identification as my previous marker method was very flawed. This is the first year with 15" metal markers, so they did not heave and blow away in the Winter (some heaving went on, but certainly not blown away). So there is probably little need going forward to do this. Having said that, it is unlikely I will stop it. I have too many cultivars and have to "divide" at least 1/3 of my collection each year. Some cultivars grow into others, so tagging them assures me that I am getting the correct cultivar for potting purposes or sending off to a new home.
I had a good number of plants bloom wrong this year, but I expect that issue to disappear in the next two or three based on the markers. I can certainly tell the best growers from year to year using this method even though I am constantly moving stuff around.
