Re: OT-BIO and Durable Iris Labels
Kent,
We've been using clear laser printer labels on the plasticized paper
plant tags/stakes. After years of exposure to the sun in Southern
California and more years of exposure to the elements here on Puget
Sound in Washington, the laser labels have been nearly indestructible.
The supporting plant tag/stake appears to become brittle and deteriorate
long before the label and the print fades, so we don't know yet just how
long they will last. However, they're good for at least five years and
longer. We figure they are probably good at least until the next time
the plant is to be divided and possibly relabeled.
The Avery 5667 Clear Return Address Labels, 1/2 in. x 1 3/4 in., 80
labels per sheet, 25 sheets, 2000 labels, is what we like to use now.
The black laser toner is extremely durable in the elements, and the
label and its adhesive seem to be reliable, so far.
The plant tag/stake is a white plasticized paper, if I understand
correctly. The black toner on the clear label is very legible against
its white background. We do not use the white polystyrene plant
tags/stakes sold by some retailers. they become brittle and unreliable
in the sun before the first year is gone.
You can use a number of different personal computer applications to
prepare and print the labels. For convenience, however, I tend to use
the envelope/labels option on the tools menu of Microsoft Word, or a
similar feature in other word processors or spreadsheets. When I'm using
Microsoft Word, I can select the type of Avery label that I'm using from
a menu (Avery 5667), and MS Word creates a page full of labels onscreen.
I reformat the page with the typeface and size I wish to use and type in
whatever plant names and/or numbers I want to appear on each label. You
could also use graphics, if you wish.
We've taken to using accession numbers, so we can pre-number and
preprint the labels for new plants. When desired, we add the name etc.
on a second label attached to the other side of the plant tag/stake.
We're still experimenting on the durability of the labels added onto the
other side of a plant tag/stake that is already used and dirty. So far,
it seems to work, but we'll see what happens after a few more years of
experience.
Overall, we love the flexibility of our new system of numbering and
labeling as needed.
Dallas Patterson
nye@fidalgo.net
Kent Pearce wrote:
>
> By way of introduction, we live in Lubbock, Texas. Our summers are hot
> and dry and our winters are moderately cold and dry and it is windy
> almost all the time. Sometimes it is good for growing iris and sometimes
> it just isn't. We have been growing iris since about 1988 when we were
> given our first irises by my parents. Since then we have regularly tried
> to submit awardable iris to the annual iris show of our local iris
> society (South Plains Iris Society).
>
> Do any of you have any recommendations for durable iris labels? We have
> tried at least three different schemes over the last 10 or 12 years.
> Usually, some form of permanent marker on metal and/or composite-plastic
> labels. All of the labels seem to fade within a year or two and then we
> have to start all over. The metal labels (aluminum sheet metal) do not
> deteriorate, but they get all bent up. The composite-plastic labels
> deteriorate.
>
> We have seen Internet adverstisements for customized garden labels to fit
> some sort of standard holder, but they seemed expensive -- maybe they
> aren't expensive if indeed they are durable. We would welcome any
> suggestions.
>
> Kent
>
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Where do sports heroes like Derek Jeter, Mia Hamm,
Vince Carter and Peyton Manning hang out? Where else?
Click now and find ‘em all here!
http://click.egroups.com/1/6211/0/_/486170/_/962862655/
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