By Candy Williams, for the Tribune-Review
For horticulture enthusiasts in chilly Western Pennsylvania, it takes more than a green thumb to cultivate many varieties of exotic tropical orchids. Temperature-controlled greenhouses, heat lamps, special soil and fertilizers are prerequisites for helping orchids to thrive in the region’s less-than-ideal growing conditions.

Next weekend, the Bidwell Training Center in Manchester will host the first Pittsburgh Orchid Festival at the Drew Mathieson Greenhouse, just down the road from the center, and orchid lovers will have a chance to take home a little bit of paradise.

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