The Plant Light Box is a low-cost alternative for growing Fast Plants® and other plants. It is ideal for small classroom experiments or group projects, and is designed so students and teachers can build their own.

Instructions for Building a 2-crate Plant Light Box SystemThese Light Boxes use two stackable plastic file crates that are cut, lined with aluminum foil, lit with a high efficiency fluorescent bulb, and stacked (after plants are tall). Each Light Box of this type can hold 12-15 small Bottle Growing Systems or 7 Deli-container Growing Systems (or 2-liter Bottle Growing Systems) or 1 Quad Growing System.

Note: Most file crates have slight differences in how they are manufactured; however, we have used all sorts of crates with success by making a few changes to these basic assembly procedures.

Materials
For each 2-crate Plant Light Box, you will need:

• Two stackable plastic file crates that measure 17 1/4″ x 14 1/4″ x 11 1/2″ (sold at an office supply store). Notice that we like to use crates that have either a solid bottom or a solid plastic spot in the center of the long sides because this is where we will attach the light.
• Aluminum foil roll, 12″ wide
• Double-stick tape
• Clear tape (e.g. Scotch Tape)
• Hacksaw-type handsaw
• Scissors
• Tin snips (optional)
• 40 or 42 watt compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) – this is a 150 watt equivalent high efficiency bulb “cool white” if available)
• Drop work light (an extension cord and light socket can also be used; however, extension cords are not allowed in many schools)
• Drill and 1″ paddle drill bit or sharp pocket knife for cutting a 1″ hole in the plastic crate for the light fixture
• Plastic zip ties

Assembly Instructions: