I've still got some plant labels, about eight inches long, that I bought
roughly forty years ago - and they are still fine.

I need some more.

The ones I bought from the local garden centre fell to bits after a
year.

Any idea where to get some decent labels?
--
Chris

"Chris" wrote
I've still got some plant labels, about eight inches long, that I bought
roughly forty years ago - and they are still fine.

I need some more.

The ones I bought from the local garden centre fell to bits after a year.

Any idea where to get some decent labels?

What exactly do you mean Chris?
Something like this? ...

http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/...sfile=1&jump=8

We use the 12 inch ones out on our allotment and they survive OK for years
(unless I tread on them!), we use a Brother Label Maker (electronic Dymo
type tape) to make the names to stick onto the labels and they also last
years.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

Bob Hobden wrote:
"Chris" wrote
I've still got some plant labels, about eight inches long, that I
bought roughly forty years ago - and they are still fine.

I need some more.

The ones I bought from the local garden centre fell to bits after a
year. Any idea where to get some decent labels?

What exactly do you mean Chris?
Something like this? ...

http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/...sfile=1&jump=8

We use the 12 inch ones out on our allotment and they survive OK for
years (unless I tread on them!), we use a Brother Label Maker
(electronic Dymo type tape) to make the names to stick onto the
labels and they also last years.

I don't know where to get the copper ones I once had as a handout from
the RHS, but aluminium drink cans cut with ordinary scissors would
presumably give similar service. Aluminium deodorant sprays are a bit
stouter: when it's /empty/, stick an awl in to equalize the slight
pressure-difference before cutting (wrap in a cloth if uncomfortable
about this, but I see no need). Need to smooth off the edges, of course.

--
Mike.

In article , Mike Lyle
writes
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Chris" wrote
I've still got some plant labels, about eight inches long, that I
bought roughly forty years ago - and they are still fine.
I need some more.
The ones I bought from the local garden centre fell to bits after a
year. Any idea where to get some decent labels?



What exactly do you mean Chris?
Something like this? ...

http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/...ABW&name=label
s&sfile=1&jump=8
We use the 12 inch ones out on our allotment and they survive OK for
years (unless I tread on them!), we use a Brother Label Maker
(electronic Dymo type tape) to make the names to stick onto the
labels and they also last years.



I don't know where to get the copper ones I once had as a handout from
the RHS, but aluminium drink cans cut with ordinary scissors would
presumably give similar service. Aluminium deodorant sprays are a bit
stouter: when it's /empty/, stick an awl in to equalize the slight
pressure-difference before cutting (wrap in a cloth if uncomfortable
about this, but I see no need). Need to smooth off the edges, of course.


I actually meant plain white plastic sticks that you can write on with a
pencil.
Thanks for the link, Bob.
--
Chris

"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
...
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Chris" wrote
I've still got some plant labels, about eight inches long, that I
bought roughly forty years ago - and they are still fine.

I need some more.

The ones I bought from the local garden centre fell to bits after a
year. Any idea where to get some decent labels?

What exactly do you mean Chris?
Something like this? ...

http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/...sfile=1&jump=8

We use the 12 inch ones out on our allotment and they survive OK for
years (unless I tread on them!), we use a Brother Label Maker
(electronic Dymo type tape) to make the names to stick onto the
labels and they also last years.

I don't know where to get the copper ones I once had as a handout from the
RHS, but aluminium drink cans cut with ordinary scissors would presumably
give similar service. Aluminium deodorant sprays are a bit stouter: when
it's /empty/, stick an awl in to equalize the slight pressure-difference
before cutting (wrap in a cloth if uncomfortable about this, but I see no
need). Need to smooth off the edges, of course.

--
Mike.

I have been making plant labels from Al drink cans for years, and would not
bother with any other way. I sent the method to Gardener's Question Time,
and they read it out, but I think they are still addicted to inferior bought
labels.

I keep a supply of the handy Al sheet one gets if you cut the top and bottom
from ordinary Al drinks cans (just cut the cylindrical section at the two
shoulders with scissors). The cylinder you then cut down one side and open
out and pull it under a ruler of other straight edge to reverse the curve
and create a sheet. You then write your plant info with an empty biro:
these have tungsten balls and score the Al very nicely - use a piece of
cardboard under the metal to give the writing some depth.

Cut out your written label from the sheet and make a small hole with the
point of the scissors or a nail etc, to take a piece of wire to tie it on
with. The label will generally last longer than the plant.

S

"Chris" ] wrote in message
]...
In article , Mike Lyle
writes
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Chris" wrote
I've still got some plant labels, about eight inches long, that I
bought roughly forty years ago - and they are still fine.
I need some more.
The ones I bought from the local garden centre fell to bits after a
year. Any idea where to get some decent labels?



What exactly do you mean Chris?
Something like this? ...
http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/...ABW&name=label
s&sfile=1&jump=8
We use the 12 inch ones out on our allotment and they survive OK for
years (unless I tread on them!), we use a Brother Label Maker
(electronic Dymo type tape) to make the names to stick onto the
labels and they also last years.



I don't know where to get the copper ones I once had as a handout from
the RHS, but aluminium drink cans cut with ordinary scissors would
presumably give similar service. Aluminium deodorant sprays are a bit
stouter: when it's /empty/, stick an awl in to equalize the slight
pressure-difference before cutting (wrap in a cloth if uncomfortable
about this, but I see no need). Need to smooth off the edges, of course.


I actually meant plain white plastic sticks that you can write on with a
pencil.

That won't last very long at all: not only does the writing soon wear off,
but the plastic goes very brittle in the sun and soon shatters into pieces.

S

Thanks for the link, Bob.
--
Chris

On 16/09/2010 18:30, Spamlet wrote:
] wrote in message
]...
In , Mike Lyle
writes
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Chris" wrote
I've still got some plant labels, about eight inches long, that I
bought roughly forty years ago - and they are still fine.
I need some more.
The ones I bought from the local garden centre fell to bits after a
year. Any idea where to get some decent labels?



What exactly do you mean Chris?
Something like this? ...
http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/...ABW&name=label
s&sfile=1&jump=8
We use the 12 inch ones out on our allotment and they survive OK for
years (unless I tread on them!), we use a Brother Label Maker
(electronic Dymo type tape) to make the names to stick onto the
labels and they also last years.



I don't know where to get the copper ones I once had as a handout from
the RHS, but aluminium drink cans cut with ordinary scissors would
presumably give similar service. Aluminium deodorant sprays are a bit
stouter: when it's /empty/, stick an awl in to equalize the slight
pressure-difference before cutting (wrap in a cloth if uncomfortable
about this, but I see no need). Need to smooth off the edges, of course.


I actually meant plain white plastic sticks that you can write on with a
pencil.

That won't last very long at all: not only does the writing soon wear off,
but the plastic goes very brittle in the sun and soon shatters into pieces.

That's not my experience if you are careful. I have pencilled white
plastic labels which are at least 5 years old. No indelible marker
lasts anywhere near as long. (NB One thing which helps is to angle the
label down so that rain does not fall on the writing.) As to
brittleness, yes, a few years in the sun will turn them brittle, but if
they aren't moved there is no problem. Far more of a problem is the
*&$(*! birds which delight in pulling labels out!

--

Jeff

In article , Spamlet
writes

"Chris" ] wrote in message
]...
In article , Mike Lyle
writes
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Chris" wrote
I've still got some plant labels, about eight inches long, that I
bought roughly forty years ago - and they are still fine.
I need some more.
The ones I bought from the local garden centre fell to bits after a
year. Any idea where to get some decent labels?



What exactly do you mean Chris?
Something like this? ...
http://www.lbsgardenwarehouse.co.uk/...ABW&name=label
s&sfile=1&jump=8
We use the 12 inch ones out on our allotment and they survive OK for
years (unless I tread on them!), we use a Brother Label Maker
(electronic Dymo type tape) to make the names to stick onto the
labels and they also last years.



I don't know where to get the copper ones I once had as a handout from
the RHS, but aluminium drink cans cut with ordinary scissors would
presumably give similar service. Aluminium deodorant sprays are a bit
stouter: when it's /empty/, stick an awl in to equalize the slight
pressure-difference before cutting (wrap in a cloth if uncomfortable
about this, but I see no need). Need to smooth off the edges, of course.



I actually meant plain white plastic sticks that you can write on with a
pencil.



That won't last very long at all: not only does the writing soon wear off,
but the plastic goes very brittle in the sun and soon shatters into pieces.


Look at the first line of my original post.
I am still using the ones I bought forty years ago!
I simply need a few more.
--
Chris

On Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:06:35 +0100, Chris wrote:

Look at the first line of my original post.
I am still using the ones I bought forty years ago!

That's before they decided that non-biodegradeable plastic was a bad
thing. Most plastic stuff you get these days is bio-degradeable in
anything from a few weeks to a few years, telling what a given items
life will be is impossible unless it mentions UV stabilty.

--
Cheers
Dave.

In article o.uk, Dave
Liquorice writes
On Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:06:35 +0100, Chris wrote:

Look at the first line of my original post.
I am still using the ones I bought forty years ago!


That's before they decided that non-biodegradeable plastic was a bad
thing. Most plastic stuff you get these days is bio-degradeable in
anything from a few weeks to a few years, telling what a given items
life will be is impossible unless it mentions UV stabilty.


Good point.
Maybe the best thing would be to make my own from wood.
Any idea what wood to use?
--
Chris

Chris ] wrote:
Maybe the best thing would be to make my own from wood.
Any idea what wood to use?

Lollipop sticks.

"Chris" wrote
Good point.
Maybe the best thing would be to make my own from wood.
Any idea what wood to use?

Been there done that, lasted only a few years before the rotted despite
preservative and a good coat of white paint. It's why we now use the large
plastic ones. Cheaper too.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

"Chris" ] wrote in message
]...
In article o.uk, Dave
Liquorice writes
On Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:06:35 +0100, Chris wrote:

Look at the first line of my original post.
I am still using the ones I bought forty years ago!


That's before they decided that non-biodegradeable plastic was a bad
thing. Most plastic stuff you get these days is bio-degradeable in
anything from a few weeks to a few years, telling what a given items
life will be is impossible unless it mentions UV stabilty.


Good point.
Maybe the best thing would be to make my own from wood.
Any idea what wood to use?

Aluminium


--
Chris

In article , Spamlet
writes

"Chris" ] wrote in message
]...
In article o.uk, Dave
Liquorice writes
On Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:06:35 +0100, Chris wrote:

I am still using the ones I bought forty years ago!


That's before they decided that non-biodegradeable plastic was a bad
thing. Most plastic stuff you get these days is bio-degradeable in
anything from a few weeks to a few years, telling what a given items
life will be is impossible unless it mentions UV stabilty.


Good point.
Maybe the best thing would be to make my own from wood.
Any idea what wood to use?


Aluminium


OK - thanks.
Can you write on those in pencil?
And - don't they get the white aluminium "rust" on them?
--
Chris

On 16 Sep, 21:06, Chris ] wrote:
I am still using the ones I bought forty years ago!
I simply need a few more.

My Grandfather had a 'notepad' made of a plastic called Ivorine - mock
ivory - that he had for 60 years. The company used to make plant
labels and collar stiffeners. It shut down in 1995.

It seems to have been casein protein polymerised with formaldehyde,
and seems to have been more or less indestructible. The name is
currently used for cellulose acetate used for repairing of piano keys
and for veneer inlays. That's a different material.