Question
QUESTION: I just bought a few dahlias and wasn't sure if it was okay to put them in a clay
pot. Will that dry the root?

ANSWER: Clay is GREAT for Dahlias.  They need a lot of water in the Summer and the pots will dry out faster, but that's because they breathe so much better than plastic pots.  Go for it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So I am a new gardner, and can always think of a question to ask.  I recently
bought a climbing plant from a local farmers market.  When I bought it, it was
beautiful, now however, it seems to be wilted.  I water it early in the morning
everyday, but it still doesn't look that good.  I dont know if I should plant it if it
keeps wilting..What should I do?


Answer
Don't water this plant every morning.  Water it ONCE and give it LOTS of water.  Make sure the water drains out the bottom.  Then water it again.  After that, leave it alone.  It's moist and damp, and that's fine.  When it dries out completely, in a week or two or more, water it again.

Watering -- too much, that is -- is the number one biggest mistake people make when they take care of plants.  Pity. It's so easy to learn.

Don't transplant a sick plant.  It's got enough trouble.  NB: Wilted leaves should be removed to save the non-wilted leaves.

A name for this plant would be nice.  Any idea?

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER