Re: Plant Labels - from used aluminium cans

 al wrote:

I've not used this technique but it would probably work somewhat. You
would just cut the can into strips and write on the inside with some
sort of stylus (an old ball point pen would work). The metal is soft and
will take an impression of the writing if you back it up with a couple
of sheets of newspaper on a hard surface. The writing is just impressed
in the metal surface and is not colored, so it is not easy to read from
a distance.

Aluminum does oxidize over time, particularly when exposed to acid rain.
However, the metal labels you buy at the garden center will likely have
the same problem. The cans have the advantage that they're anodized to
prevent corrosion by the stuff they put into them.

The strips of aluminum can will have sharp edges, so you might want to
bend them over to avoid hazards to small children and pets.

The labels will have to be mounted on something to hold them up. A
length of galvanized wire can be bent around the strip and hammered
tight to hold the label. Wood supports will rot.

 

I think cutting up a bleach jug and using a permanent marker might be a better
idea.  No sharp edges and the plastic lasts a long time.  Could be a use for
old floppies too.  Thread a wire or string through the hole and write on the
floppy with a marker.

 On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 17:46:21 GMT, hchickpea@hotmail.com
wrote:


Or cutting up an old mini-blind.  (Or a new mini-blind, for
that matter.)  A mini-blind makes hundreds of labels.  

Pat

 

applies

I suspect the lead was used as color much as lead and titanium oxides in
paint.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=lead+mini%2Dblinds+date+1995+%7C+1994+

Environmental Lead Sources
... Miniblinds In June of 1996, the US Consumer ... Mini-blinds which have
been purchased
since July 1996 should ... Safety Alert!...New Source of Lead Poisoning
Identified ...
stopleadpoisoning.com/enviroleadsources.html - 31k

 wrote:


This subject came up recently and I was going to suggest just buying
plastic plant markers. Then searched for them in the places I used to
buy them, and they seemed in rather short supply. And a lot more
expensive than I remember. The availibility of old mini (or maxi?)
blinds, plastic jugs, etc., plus the labor of slicing 'em up seemed
like a lot more trouble than just buying pre-cut labels and and
outdoor marking pen. When I was heavily into growing greenhouse veg
plants, I got packs of 50 or 100 plastic labels for a very reasonable
price. I *do* agree with "waste not; want not" but only of one's own
labor (and materials and tools involved) are over-plentiful.