different TAGS for different FONCTIONS

During the live of our prefered vines we use different tags to identify seeds or plants.
I'see 4 categories.
1. - Tags to named plants.
2. - Mobil tags
3. - Tags for crossing process
4. - Tags for spontaneous " mutations "

1. - Tags to named plants :
They are tags to named plants when they are in container or in the garden. If you have only a few MG it's not really necessary. I prefer to grow my vines by cultivar, ' don't like the mixture any more !
The tags we use are in plastic of different colours .The marker we need must be UV resistant .The quality of the plastic is also important , I'remark that more the plastic is supple longer is their live time , rigid plastic after one season break like glasses.
We can use second live packaging material Too.

I also use tags supposing to be use as cow tags , very supple and large .

2. - Mobil tags :
They are tags that we use only a few time , for a sort time .
For exemple on this stage.

3. - Tags for crossing :
The most important point which interesed me is marking particular flower.
Crossing.
I intend to proceed as follows.I use 5 different cultivars as "males", each of the cultivar is defined by colour ( colour tape ).So , at fall on my plants, seed pods will be marked with different colour corresponding to different " fathers".I know the father and the mother , I can identified the seeds .

4. - Tags for spontaneous "mutation" :
That's a characteristic of Morning Glories : a flower with different aspect may be fertilized with his own pollen ( hand pollination ) and produce seeds that have much chance to transmit to other generations .
For this white paper tape on wich i write a number.Then I write some worth on the booklet of this plant . ( each plant one page ) Number on the plant , date and a reference of the pic on my computer.

In autumn it promise a real headache and my plants look like a Chistmas tree.

Did you used to harvest your seeds in the fall or throughout the season when pods are mature ?
Your comments !
Dany

Thanks for contributing to the idea that even tagging can be an specialized art form to help our Morning Glories look like decorated Christmas Trees...(!)

Quote Dany: {Did you used to harvest your seeds in the fall or throughout the season when pods are mature ?
Your comments !}

Hi Dany, Each pod takes about 30 days from the time it begins to set. I have pretty much learned how to watch each day and check through so none will break open and the seeds drop out and get lost on the ground. I know every marked pod by memory but everyone may not find this ability developes to that point. I also mark them in a book with date and details so I can reference them and know which groups need checking often to pick them at the right time. I have never lost a pod of seeds because the record keeping helps me remember they are there and about how long they have left.

Another idea is a small piece of netting tied around it to catch seeds though make sure it is light and breathable material so it will not cause mildew problems. I have never tried this netting idea myself because I`m so watchful over them and have never lost one. Do use the netting if you don`t want to take a risk on your pod breaking open while you aren`t looking and the seeds falling on the ground.

I will need netting for the 4 o clock seeds! The 4 o clock seeds drop off when I am not looking lol!

Karen

This message was edited Feb 21, 2009 9:11 PM

I know for certain I need the information tags. My 53 year old brain is thankful for those lil ol' reminders each and every day. LOL

Great idea Dany,

Since I grow so many MGs, plus have so many other types of plants to tag, I use mini-blinds cut at a slant and use a permanent marker to note the information on both front and back sides. Front side the name of the plant and on the back side where the seed is from or any other information.

Emma