Paph. Mean Bob

[goldenrose]

Oh, I love hearing the story behind the name! Thanks for sharing it with us! :clap:

:clap: Me too - thanks Scott! :clap:

 

[jblanford]

Great plant, great name, and a great story, thanks.... Jim.

 

[SlipperFan]

I think most people who have ever attended an orchid auction with Bill Thoms as the auctioneer would agree that it is a pretty entertaining event. His extensive knowledge of orchids combines perfectly with his sense of humor and the result is usually a sold out auction and lots of happy bidders. I can’t be sure, but there is a remote possibility that very minor amounts of alcohol served at some, but not all of these events may contribute to the jovial atmosphere as well.

As I understand it, Bill Thoms was auctioneering at a local orchid society auction where two plants of Paph. (Prime Child x sanderianum) up for bid. In order to generate additional interest, Bill announced that the highest bidder could either have the naming rights or Bill would just go ahead and register the cross, naming it after the high bidder. As it turns out the successful bidder (you guessed it – his name was “Bob”) continued to outbid several people on subsequent plants that were brought up for auction. That bidder became known during the auction as “Mean Bob.” After the auction “Bob” told Bill that he would love to see the plant named “Paph. Mean Bob” so that is exactly what happened.
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What a fun story. I've met Bill Thoms -- he was a speaker at our society a year or so ago. Now the plant and it's name will have more mean-ing (pun intended!)...

 

[Greenpaph]

Dot,

Whatever the MEANing; it is beautiful!

 

[NYEric]

Good story.