Sharpie paint pen

I am trying different methods of making plant ID markers; none very successful long term. Someone recommended a paint pen. I bought a Sharpie paint pen, extra fine point, and thought it was wonderful when I used it on a few markers. I made sure the cap was on tight when I put it away. When I tried to use it again a few days later, it absolutely will not write.

There were no instructions with it. Was I supposed to do something to clean or preserve the writing point when I put it away the first time? Anyone else have any experience with paint pens?

Sometimes the tip dries out. Try pushing down on the tip until some paint comes out. Sometimes it takes awhile.

I use #2 regular pencil, the only thing that lasts and doesn't fade.

Learned the hard way ....only thing that doesn't fade is the pencil as Josephine said. Lost too many names before realized it.

I use large wooden popsicle sticks and write on them with a black Sharpie. Then I spray the stick with clear lacquer to make sure the writing doesn't smear or rub off. I also use a key holder from Home Depot that has a piece of paper inserted under the plastic cover that I write on with a black Sharpie. Since a picture is worth a thousand words I have included a picture to better illustrate.

That is neat, but how much does the key holder cost?

Just my trades each year would be a lot of popsickle sticks. I use mini blinds. We are always replacing one here and there. I split them also since I don't try to put the botanical name on them. Even if I know it....I can't spell it!! We are going to replace several this year, so if anyone needs them at RU in the fall I should have a whole lot.

I use plastic mini blinds as well. just ONE will last you a LONG time, even with trades.
I found the Sharpie on them works even better than the grease pencil too.

Plain old #2 pencil will stay on even if it is buried for a year or in the sun/weather. I have tried so many paint pens, markers, brother p-touch labels etc. None work for me.
But even the mini blinds with pencil didn't hold up to our new dog....she made it her quest to pull up all of those little white sticks that we in her yard ....and chew them beyond recognition! LOL! So I have to make sure I bury them now.

LOL Sheila! I know I find bits of plant tags every time I turn the soil... you gotta laugh!

I tell you, if it is not the squirrels it is the pets!!! what are we to do?

hahahaha!
what I love is spreading fresh mulch and the dogs are so happy they RUN thru my pretty beds and fling mulch everywhere! LOL

"they're so cute!"

I have given up and done the same thing Cajun. I took mulch and spread it on the established paths. If I have plants pop up there I dig them up, because they won't stand a chance on a path. At least that way it isn't a muddy mess to walk on. They don't stay on the same path all the time, but I figure after this long the well worn ones won't change.

I use metal tags. When you write on them with a nail, it saves it forever.

I have some metal /copper tags on some things but way too costly for everything in 23 flower beds and give away plants.

I haven't tried this, but if you write on metal blinds with a nail and go over it with a paint pen, the paint should get stuck in the grooves of the letters making for easier reading.

I have the mini blinds and can cut to any length I want and use the grease pencil/china marker pen and they work fine.

I usually use a grease pencil too, but I have noticed that the orange (if exposed to the sun/weather) seems to fade where the black doesn't. I usually bury my tags in the mulch though if I think about it.

Wish I could add someting to this thread that would help but I have tried everything mention above and nothing I have found is weather proof and at the same time dog proof..some how the dog takes it as a personal challenge to destroy any plant marker..the yard is full of lovely Day Lillies that I don't have a clue as to their ID.

Yep, same here grits. The dog thought I put them out like Easter eggs, and everyone she found was chewed, even the metal. She was a pup then and now seems to be a little more tollerant of my plants as long as squirrels don't run through them she doesn't.

Ive had the best success with using a paint pen on the mini blinds.. Ive learned the when you store a paint pen you have to keep it horizontal to keep it working better.. that goes for all metallic sharpies and paint pens. I used to get real upset when Id use one once or twice then go back and find it wouldnt work at all the next time I needed it.. I finally called the company and did what they told me to do and Ive not had any issues since then..of course now that I mentioned this it probably will not write the next time I need it...lol..

Lately have been using some scrap PVC pipe and a Sharpie stays on for a couple of years and I can drive them in pretty far so the dog can't pull them out and doubles as a stake for limber plants

I buy metal tags when I can find them on sale, and I use my label maker to "tag" them. The white tape is laminated so it pretty much lasts through anything (at least so far!). The end result is so nice and neat too.

I did that a couple years ago when I put in my all native bed. Sorry to say they are golden colored now although still readable for now, but not pretty.

I use clear extra strong tape. It has stayed on well although the metal tags get bent if I don't push them down to the ground.

grits i really like ur PVC pipe idea!! awesome in fact, esp. for floppy plants.

does anyone have any ideas for Iris ID?
i have so many unnamed ones.... 2 have bloomed so i'd like to at least mark their color somehow....

By the way You can get the grey pvc and spray paint it green then it makes a stake that kinda blends in ..

I found some nice golf ball to palm size river rocks recently. I bought some metallic paint pens. I want to try 'labeling' a few of my plants with this. assuming they don't get moved around too much, i'm hoping they will hold up. I will try different sealers to see which works best for me. I love the natural look of the rocks, but may also 'dabble' in painting a flower here and there too.

I use small 2x2 tiles you can get them at lowes. Write on the back, seal w Thompsons' and mine have lasted 3 years now, and look like they did when I made them. They are cheap too.

You write on the back with???

a black marker used for marking cattle tags, got it at a farm store.

If you mark on the back do you place it on the ground or hang it in some way? Sorry I didn't ask the question before.
I just had a thought. I have a family member in GA that is a potter. I could use his extra broken pieces (unglazed) to label with maybe. We go there usually once a year. Think that work the same if I sealed it?

I just used thompsons water sealer, make sure it is for outdoor use and untinted.

Yes I would think clay pottery would work ok if it were sealed, not actually tried that though.
I just toss it on the ground next to the plant. So far no trouble. They are not wood so the critters leave them alone and they have a little weight to them so they don't float.

Sound like that may be what I need to be able to refresh my mind as I walk thru the beds and maybe not be of interest to my dog.

Cajun2 you could just take a pic with a digital camera and make up numbered plant markers then make a folder with only your Iris in it place the marker in front of the plant take the pic showing both the color + the number now you have a digitized record of each plant with the color ,could even include the bloom date only that is not neccessary(SIC?) if your camera has a date stamp which most all do except mine LOL

great ideas, grits!
(BTW one of my oldest friends goes by grits - G.R.I.T.S.)

Just something I got tagged with because of my fondness for grits for breakfast...still one of my favorite foods with fried eggs