Q: I was recently in Charlotte and my niece told me about a service she uses for her orchids. After the blooms are gone, she takes the orchids to someone who tends them until they bloom again. They call her and she goes and gets them until the blooms fade, ad infinitum. It costs her a nickle a day for this service. Do you know of anyone in the Atlanta area that is an orchid babysitter?

A: I don’t know of such a service but it seems like a fine idea. Orchids blooms persist for months but during the periods between blooming the plants are nondescript. You need to ask an orchid enthusiast this question. The Atlanta Orchid Society meets on the second Monday of each month at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Meetings are open to the public and I’m sure you would enjoy their company!