Re: CULT: plant markers

From: HIPSource@aol.com

In a message dated 5/24/99 8:31:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
plamb5@bellsouth.net writes:

<< I did not know what subject heading to put on this question....I was 
wondering if you would tell me about what kind of plant markers you use. >>

Lynn, I agree that CULT is the appropriate tag here.

This subject has been dealt with in depth on several occasions on this list 
and people vary widely in what they prefer. 

Most iris display gardens use "rose" labels from Paw Paw Everlast or Eon 
Industries, which typically advertise in the major gardening magazines and 
seasonally in the Bulletin. These are pronged affaires which have a zinc 
horizontal surface upon which one writes with a carbon pencil. One can also 
affix lables printed on the computer, or made on a "label maker" of one type 
or another, available at office supply stores. Many other folks use plastic 
labels marked with "permanent" markers. Plastic becomes brittle quite soon. 

Others use pieces cut from vinyl mini-blinds marked either with "permanent" 
markers, or with computer generated labels, such as those manufactured by 
Avery. A friend of mine with a lot of irises planted densely swears by the 
Avery. Cut the strips longish and bend the bottom end up before inserting in 
the soil next to the plant. The bent end will keep the piece from being 
pulled out of the soil when you are cultivating around the plants, and 
decreases heaving. The vinyl is also easier on the legs if you scrape against 
it. You don't have to use white blinds, and some other color may decrease the 
visual clutter. The usual remark is that beds with prominent signage look 
like mouse cemetaries, and it is not an entirely unwarrented observation, 
although many folks like the tidy look of clear and upfront signage.

Now, you will notice that I put "permanent" in quotation marks. This is 
because most of these markers are not. "Sharpie" is the garden marker of 
choice for many of us, but it is not permanent. Some folks have found some 
other brands they rely on heavily, and others refresh the markings 
periodically. If you take the latter tack, make sure you also write the name 
of the iris on the part to be buried, for the elements cause fading and then 
the buried part will remain legible.

Whatever type of signage you decide to use, the most important thing to do is 
to map your iris bed and keep your map current. Plant in a grid if possible, 
for it will be easier to map, but plant as you prefer. The map will be 
enormously useful to you when things get confused, or the labels disappear, 
as they tend to do.

Now all these ideas and many more have been discussed at very considerable 
length and such impassioned discussions may be found in that GREAT treasure 
trove of iris wisdom the ARCHIVES of this list, which, accompanied by their 
magic search engine, are to be found at:

http://www.mallorn.com/lists/iris-talk/ 

Use the word 'label" as a search term, and select options which allow for 
many responses. 

Hope this helps!

Anner Whitehead
HIPSource@aol.com
  

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