sorry for the confusion, it is a black mission (verified).

Hi gorgi,

What do you use to write on the cutting with? And what is Al and Cu?

Thanks,

noss

Looks like elements.  Aluminum (Al) and Copper (Cu)

You are correct Jason! AL=Aluminum & Cu=Copper. Looks like Gorgi knows a little about his periodic table of elements. I hated chemistry in school but came to appreciate it more when I learned how much it comes in to play when making ones own homemade rocket propellents. But that's a whole other hobby :) .

I'll comment on what I recently started using to mark my cuttings. I'd like to hear what you're using too though Gorgi. I've used some cheap acrylic craft paint from Wal-Mart & it works pretty good. The one drawback I saw with that is that it takes awhile to dry.

What has worked best for me so far has been a nice bright colored nail polish. It dries much faster than the paint and seems to be pretty durable so far. I got a funny smile out of the cashier at Wal-Greens when I bought some hot pink nail polish. But I suppose my cuttings are worth risking some small doubts about my masculinity! The sacrifices we make :-] !!

As for what kind of brush to use? You can use the one that comes in the nail polish but it tends to be a bit too wide. I found some really tiny brushes in Wally-World's craft section. They seem to work fine until I find something I like even better.

Noss and saxonfig ,
I found markers in the craft section at Walmart called Painters  opaque paint markers made by Elmers.
The fine point or medium point versions work well for cuttings. I find the fine point best overall for me.
I think Jason or someone else on the forum recommended these or similar a while back. 
Best ,
Kerry 

Forgot to mention the Painters markers paint seems to dry fast on the cuttings.

Oh yeah, drivewayfarmer. I haven't seen those at Wally-World yet but I think I'd seen similar @ Lowes called a Paint Pen or some such.

I'd also been meaning to mention this little gem I learned about back in the summer. I've been using pieces of old window blinds as pot markers. They can be easily cut to length with scissors. You can use a marker such as sharpie to write on them but I've learned that 'magic markers' tend to fade dramatically even before the end of the first season.

I learned this little tip from my local hort friend. He's been using basic #2 pencil to write on the window blind strips. My first thought was that this just wouldn't hold up to the elements. But he said he's had many that he hasn't had to re-do for years.

After thinking about it, I remember from scuba diving in FL that you use a simple pencil to write notes on a piece of plastic when communicating with a dive buddy under water! So the pencil markings are plenty waterproof & will hold up to the elements quite well. Ironically you can easily smudge the pencil marks by rubbing it with your finger. So just don't rub 'em once you've got the name of your fig on there.

I now watch the curbsides on trash days in search of more window blinds to stock up on :) .   

I used this year white markers for tires available in the auto-sections. I am happy with it and the markings seems durable. I had to throw away one recently thinking it had dried up but then found out that there was pump action to wet the tip to continue marking.
Back to the cold mornings....

Thanks, Guys.  Ya have to speak English, so "some" people will know what yer talkin' about, eh?  :)

noss

Mon plaisir noss. Oh, that wasn't english either though was it?

Ott, those tire markers sound like a good idea too. I'll have to take a look at them. 

The markers I recommended are made by Testors, and can be found in the model and craftss ection of any store, or at a hobby shop, or online. If you search the forum for the word Testors, you may find another related thread, I think I mentioned them here in the past.

Oh, and Bill - something I learned in art classes in school - use hairspray at a distance to solidify chalks and pencil so they won't rub off. Don't spray too close or it will run. Try it - write on a blind with pencil, spray a mist of canned hairpsray at about 24" away. Wait 15 minutes and try to rub it out. Should be a bit tougher.

Dunno what will happen to it after a rain, though....

Jason, the hairspray sounds like a good idea. Don't know how the plastic would react but I might give it a try.

Merci beaucoup, Mssr Williame.  :P

noss

Jason & Bill,

noss, I think my reply in haitian french (creole) should be 'merite' or maybe 'de rien' ;).

I had also thought of some sort of clear coat but I'm also thinking about keeping things low budget (discarded window blinds are free :-) ). So I guess it just depends if one wants to put the extra time & $ into it or not - ? Just my opinion. 

Found these last season at nursery that i have been using.
Copper tags with copper wire to attach to trunk or limb of tree.
Thin and for me its easy to inscribe on them with ball point pen.
I forget if 20,25 in package but i need more but they ran out perhaps next season when i return there .