Take advantage of this weekend's nice weather and stop by the annual free Orchid Show sponsored by the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania and held each year at the Phipps Garden Center, 1059 Shady Ave., Shadyside. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow.

"The Mystique of Orchids" is the theme of this year's show and the displays will feature thousands of these diverse plants in bloom. Visitors can also purchase orchids and orchid-growing supplies from local and national vendors. In addition, each day a series of free education classes and lectures will be offered and society members also will be on hand to answer questions.

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.