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Annuals/Yellow climbing plant

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Expert: - 6/14/2008


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

Annuals

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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