How do you mark plants for seed/bulb saving?

Here's my problem -- I have several plants in the garden I want to save seed from (or pull when it comes to the oreintal lilies). BUT -- I don't want them to set seed right now- so I have been deadheading. What do you all use to mark a plant? I will NEVER remember them all once the blooms are done. I need some kind of tag to put ON the plant (sortof like a twist tie or those yellow trash bag tie things) that will last, that I can write on, so I can save seed when it comes time.

Any suggestions? I am also puttin this in proigation and bulbs -- to get a wider range of views.

Thanks!!!!

Heather

I just started using those velcro plant ties. I write the name of the lily, or an abbreviation of the name using a black sharpie on the smooth side of the velcro strip, then wrap it around the stalk of the lily. I am hoping that the sharpie writing doesn't weather.

You're better than I am. I usually save some seed and then forget the name of the plant and end up writing, "blue flower, kind of tall-ish, really like" :)

For seeds - I usually have most of my plants labeled with plant markers, those that I can't remember their names anyway. But when I collect seeds, depending on how big they are, I usually use empty tic tac containers that have been labeled with masking tape. My husband consumes tic tacs like air, so I alway have lots of them at the end of the season, so I walk around the yard with my tic tac containers and a pen and label them as I collect the seeds.

Tying a piece of colored yarn around a stalk that matches the color of the flower seems like it would be a good idea. I have kept a notebook in the past in which I made diagrams of parts of our garden with the names of the plants written down according to where they are located. When harvesting the seed, I immediately write down on the bag or envelope date of collection, identification, etc.

Great idea-- my dh used to do the tic tac thing-- I have a collection of boxes that hold my seed beads for jewrly making.