I have three quite similar entries, and still need to figure out a winner.

Meanwhile, 4 years later......

Wondering how the trial went.

Southeastern fignuts would love an update from Jack or anyone else who grows B. Madeira in hot humid climate.

that's a beauty.. and plant doesn't look all the bad either. :)

pete

Noss, mine did the same thing but did not have FMV.  My 2 trees were loaded with figs and then one day both just dried up and died.  That was 2 years ago.  Here are some pictures.  My 2 trees doubled in size that year (2010) so I know I was doing something right but not sure why they committed suicide!  I think they were stressed with a lot of figs and maybe too much heat b/c both died the exact same way and time.  I plan on discussing this issue with the folks at UCD this year.  Last year, I contacted a friend who had a HUGE one for sale.   So, I bought it from him and paid high dollar for it.  It was loaded with figs.  I got some to ripen at the end of the year before it got too cold.  They were darn superb! Today, I have another large another one that's 4yrs old in a huge pot.  No other fig can compare to the flavor and taste of the Black Maderia fig tree! 

This is certainly true for young blueberry plants that set too many fruits. A young plant can die unless you pull off most of them. A very hard thing to do.

Re tags. As mentioned, I had ordered some 30 gauge soft aluminum sheeting from a place called whimsie (artsy-craftsy). I got a piece 12 inches by 36 inches for, including fast delivery, for $22. (Ordered Monday morning, arrived Thurs from across the country). Depending on the size I cut my labels, I should be able to get at least 150 or more.

They had a section on their site that this was the stuff they use for plant labels, so I took a chance. It's about twice as thick as soda pop cans, but you can still cut it with scissors. I use an old paper cutter for greater accuracy, straighter edges, and speed. It does curl a little, but is easily straightened.

I've tried soda pop cans but don't like them for several reasons - they are too thin, you can tear them and rip the wire right out of them. They don't lie flat, and the label on the back will always be visible. And they are sharp.

I've also tried the bottoms of disposable cookie sheets/pie pans, which works OK - much easier to work with than soda cans. But if you buy them new they are expensive, and are also too thin IMO. They are about the same 36 gauge as cans. They do lie flat however.

The 30 gauge heavier stuff is also sharp when cut, and if you have kids or grandkids or pets that chew, or if you tend not to be careful working with things, don't get it.  That said, I like the stuff. It's heavier weight, can easily be flattened either with a rolling pin or between pieces of light cardboard, is relatively easy to emboss with a ball point pen. I think these labels will last for years and years which is what I want.

For the wire hole, I fold back the label about a half inch, then use an awl to go through a double layer for greater durability.  I'm not sure that is needed however, but I like how it looks. This is also sharp on the back.

I've used mini blinds for years and love them, but they don't emboss... I know writing on them with pencil can last for years, but I want 'forever'.  And I like to tinker. :)

If I was a sane person, I would've gone with metal labels from ebay.  But I'm not. :)