Window Garden Wednesday: Karen Daubmann
Posted in Window Garden Wednesday on February 15 2012, by Matt Newman
It’s a rare day at the NYBG when I can take a few steps through the halls without seeing a splash of green foliage brightening a workspace. Working alongside some of the world’s most talented and knowledgeable botanists tends to relate directly to the number of office plants that find homes on desks and window sills. Window Garden Wednesday exists to acquaint our readers with some of the folks who are often too busy in the field, lab, or conference room to spend time lurking on social media sites. (That’s our job.)
After a long hiatus, the series returned last week to spotlight the eccentric collection of Dr. Jamie Boyer, our Director of Children’s Education. His was an interesting mishmash of common houseplants, “rescue” cases, and nostalgic gift cuttings. This week we turn the focus on Karen Daubmann, our resident exhibition mastermind. She’s been manning the wheel of major events at The New York Botanical Garden for several years, and her hectic schedule demands a retinue of hardy plants that can get along without micromanagement.
Who are you and what do you do at the Garden?
My name is Karen Daubmann and I am the Director of Exhibitions. I work on the exhibitions in the Conservatory, the grounds, and in the Ross Gallery. Most of what I do involves the installation and transition of major exhibitions, including work with outside designers, set builders, electricians, and other contractors. The other aspect of my job deals with the detailed planning of exhibitions, usually several years in advance, and keeping the scheduling of these events in order.
What kind of plants do you have in your windowsill garden?
I have two money trees (Pachira aquatica), a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera sp.), and a cactus.
Any good stories about where the plants come from?
The cactus with three stems was a gift from the conservators of the Henry Moore Foundation. They spent several weeks with me in the spring of 2008 installing 20 monumental sculptures on the Garden grounds. Then, in the spring of 2009, they returned to take the sculptures out. We had a great time together and I really enjoyed their company. I learned a great deal about sculpture and patina from them and heard many wonderful stories about Henry Moore. The significance of the cactus lies in the fact that there were three conservators–Laura, James, and Malcolm–so they chose a cactus with three stems to remind me of them.
The other three plants were scavenged from the Conservatory following the Holiday Train Show two years ago. I thought to myself, “Who doesn’t need a money tree?” So I got two! There is a begonia that grows from the pot of one of the money trees. I took a little nip from the original plant two autumns ago and stuck it in the pot. It grew and even flowers for me on occasion.
Learned any good windowsill gardening tips while working at the Garden?
I try to remember to water them occasionally but they seem to thrive on my neglect. I will have to repot them eventually, but for now they seem to be happy.
What’s your favorite thing about working at the Garden?
I’m lucky that I get to work with so many interesting people and that my projects change from year to year. Since I’ve worked here I have worked on three Kiku shows; one Fall Flowers of Japan event; Orchid Shows themed with Singapore, Brazil, Cuba, and Broadway; five Holiday Train Shows; and the Henry Moore sculptures. There are many more exciting projects on the horizon.
