Build A Plant Maze!
September 27, 2007 by Jennifer
This is a really fun experiment for kids I read about in a magazine a few years back. I wish I had the magazine for the photos. I don’t so I had to actually draw my own graphics. The picture by the way is a little crude since I’m in the middle of a move I couldn’t find the ruler or markers (packed). I had to use crayons and draw the lines free hand (sorry). But the project is great!
This maze will teach kids about the power of solar and show them just how clever plants are.
Materials needed:
- A large cardboard box — the kind that has dividers. Something I forgot to draw in the photo is that the box needs a lid. It will have to be closed on all sides for this experiment to work. I got a large whiskey box from the local alcohol shop. Obviously kids, ask an adult to do that part.
- A box cutter.
- Dried beans or other flower seeds (I tried both and beans worked best). Don’t use seeds that need light to germinate. The back of your seed packet will give you this information.
- Soil in a little flower pot.
- Super strength clear tape. I used packing tape.
How to make your maze!
- Paint or color the outside of your box in cool colors. Mine is boring brown in the picture — see if your box can be way more exciting.
- Place the box on it’s side so that the lid is in front.
- Cut one hole in what is now the top of the box and holes in the dividers — depending on your box make the holes about 2-3 inches across. The holes need to form a clear and easy route from the bottom of the box to the top. Plants are clever but not THAT clever; they can’t grow through the cardboard.
- Plant your seeds or beans in your little pot and water well (wet like a wet sponge).
- Put your pot in the bottom of the box and shut the lid. If you see any cracks tape the lid to the sides of the box. There should be no light allowed except for what can get in through the tip top hole.
- Place your box in a nice safe area that gets some sun each day.
- Every three days open your box and re-water your plant.
Wait….
Beans grow pretty quickly. If you used other seeds the time may vary but eventually the plant will start to grow. Watch and see what path it takes upwards through your box maze.
My version of the plant maze graphics… I hope this makes sense. Remember, your box should have a lid. Technically during this experiment you won’t see your plant.
Questions to consider.
- What makes the plant grow through the maze?
- How does this relate to how tiny trees can survive in a forest of big tall trees that block the sunlight?
- What will happen if your plant reaches the top?
- Who is doing the bulk of the work — the tiny plant or the sunshine? Maybe it’s a team effort. How do all the different parts of the planet’s eco-system work together to make a maze like this work?
What other questions can you think of?
Kids… if you have success with this experiment send in some photos to be posted here at tree hugging family along with some thoughts on the process. Or even take it to your school or homeschooling events to show off.
This is such a cool experiment! I’m passing it on, I tell ya.
I’m glad you liked it.. also glad my picture made sense. I’ve been concerned. But if you like it then I hope that means it does
You have so many great ideas, the kids and I can’t keep up! We’re just getting to the egg carton herb garden today.
Thanks Kate — this wasn’t my invention though. But it is cool when it works. And yes, my plan is to overload everyone with fun stuff and green ideas until their heads pop! Wait, that seems not so peaceful. Maybe I won’t do that. Thanks as always for stopping by… and I hope the tiny gardens turn out great.
This is a great experiment, but I’m wondering if it will be a good one for my school’s science fair. And, if I do it, do I need a cardboard box or a clear box?
You have to use cardboard. The point of the maze (which may be missed because I drew the diagram) is that there’s still a lid on the box — the maze part is covered so no light can reach the plant. If you do it in a clear box the plant will grow normally because it will have full light. I hope that made sense. Thanks for stopping by
okay im doing a science fair project for school and this is my topic. which plants do you think i should use? they need to grow fast and i need two or three.
Amy – I’m not the world’s best gardener but herbs usually grow quickly; is the maze or plants in general your project?
You might want to check out http://www.motherearthsgarden.com/ for the best plant tips.
the maze is my project. thank you so much!
oh and thanks for the website it helps alot!
Good experiment. I like it. But try making it a little more hard for the plant: you could stretch screen across the box and cut a hole in it so that the plant would have to find the way out even though light’s coming from all directions. But I really like it. But hold on: why paint or color? Don’t spend too much time on decorations. Make it work, and then make it look good.
–Daedalus
I am planning to explore this project and see how cool it is. I was just wondering, “How long does this experiment take when you use a dried bean?” please respond to me through this or through my email.
@Danny – some dried beans won’t grow. Stay away from canned and frozen for sure. The fresher the bean the better. If you’re going to use dried beans you should test them first (some are treated so they won’t sprout. To test them, place a few on a paper towel that’s damp and fold the towel over the beans. Keep the towel wet for the three days. If the beans are plantable, they should start to sprout on the paper towel, then you know those beans are ok to use. Also, beans types grow at different rates, you’d have to check the package to know for sure.
Thanks Jennifer! I tried what you said and my beans have successfully germinated and have been planted in a pot. I expect to see some growth within the week, then I’ll set it in my maze!
Okay so i read all the comments to see if my question is answered anywhere but it wasn’t. so bein enclosed for the whole time, what about watering the plant? Don’t you have to water it?
@Jo Ann I wrote about this in the post – you just open your box every three days or so and water. So, you’ll have to leave one side available to open.
mines didnt grow all the way…:(
im doing this for my science fair project!!!!!!
this project is great thanks!
can you use beans like the type you cook?
im doing this 4 science fair was wonderinng if you could give me some help or SOMETHING!
please can you answer those questions???
What if I left it in the dark with a light… what colour light do you think I should use…? I need it in the dark because 1 side needs to be glass to record what happens each day…
Oooh, I love this… we’ll be doing this for sure. I’m hoping you’ll share this on my blog today on Friday’s Nature Table… pop on over and post it.
Blessings and magic.
I am as well doing my science fair expirement on this. I have quite a few questions. 1) What type of dried bean did you use? 2) I also need to write observations daily 3) If I cut a lid and put it back on will the plant escape? 4) Would this expirement work with lights instead of sunlight? 5) What could I change a little about it to make it more sophisticated?
Please try and get back to me as soon as possible so I can get started on my research.
THANK YOU SO MUCH