Table of Contents

Dr. Coco and Dr. Photon collaborate to write scientifically accurate articles and guides on all topics related to growing cannabis. Our articles are grounded in plant science and our extensive backgrounds in horticulture and lighting. We are growers, so our tutorials are informed by our actual practices. You can be confident in our resources. Everything we publish goes through a rigorous peer review process. We take pride in publishing clear and accurate information that helps home growers maximize the success of their cannabis grows.

Articles,Tutorials & Guides: Quick Links

New Articles
Fertilizers & Watering
Grow Set-up
Cannabis Biography
Growing Cannabis
Podcasts

Cannabis Grow Set-Up

Grow Light Guide

Grow Light Guide
Grow Light Calculator
Grow Light Guide
Grow Light Calculator

  • Grow Light Metrics Primer

    Learn about the science of horticultural lighting. We explain the key grow light metrics and terminology: PAR, PPF, PPFD, and more. Start here to make the most of our Grow Light Guide!

  • Grow Light Calculator

    Our grow light calculator provides an accurate way to analyze and compare different grow light fixtures. You can enter your own grow light data or select a preloaded fixture. The Calculator will tell you the Usable PPF, Efficiency, Coverage and Harvest Potential. The Grow Light Comparison Table allows you to easily compare different fixtures.

  • Calculating Grow Light Efficiency, Coverage & Harvest Potential

    It is time to move past only using wattage to evaluate lights! Learn how we use Usable PPF to calculate our efficiency ratings, coverage estimates, and benchmark harvest targets.

  • Grow Light Testing Protocol

    Field testing produces the most accurate measurement of Usable PPF, but it must be done correctly. In this article, we explain our testing protocol and the science behind it. Learn about test area size, the importance of reflective walls, and the scientific way to determine optimal hanging height.

  • How Much Light (PPF) Do You Need for Indoor Cannabis?

    We review the science of cannabis photosynthesis and explain the optimal quantity (PPF) and density (PPFD) of light for indoor cannabis. Not enough light leads to “larf” and too much light can result in photoinhibition. We include a Grow Space Calculator which shows the optimal light and harvest potential for any grow space.

Grow Set-Up Guide

  • Grow Tents and Harvest Sizes

    In this article, we review the different options for creating a grow space, discuss the advantages of using a grow tent for indoor cannabis grows, and give harvest estimates for different size grow tents.

Other Set-Up Guides
Coming Soon
  • Airflow, Ventilation and Exhaust Systems for Grow Tents
  • Managing Heat and Humidity in Your Grow Tent

Media & Containers

  • How to Prepare & Buffer Coco Coir

    Before you start growing in coco there are steps you should take to make it into the best medium for cannabis. Learn how to buffer and prepare your coco and avoid the dreaded “CalMag problems”.

  • How to Reuse/Recycle Coco Coir

    Coco is good for more than one grow! Learn how to recycle your used coco back into a superior medium for your next cannabis crop.

Automatic Watering

  • Guide to Automatic Watering for Indoor Cannabis

    Everything you need to know to set up & run automatic watering systems. Top-feed Vs. Bottom-feed, Recirculation Vs. Drain to Waste, Preventing Bacteria, Topping-off & Cleaning Out.

  • DIY Automatic Watering System for Indoor Cannabis

    Automatic watering makes growing in coco a breeze! Full plans, shopping list, and installation instructions for a simple and easy DIY Automatic watering system for your grow tent or grow room.

  • DIY Self-Draining Saucers

    Self-Draining saucers make any grow much easier! They are needed for a fully automatic watering system. Anyone can make them with our complete DIY plans, shopping list, and assembly instructions!

  • DIY Auto-Pumping Drain Bucket

    How do you remove the waste water from the tent? The self-draining saucers need to drain to somewhere! If you need a solution, Check out our “Auto-Pumping Drain Bucket”!

Growing Cannabis

Climate & Light

Growing Practices

  • Germinating Cannabis Seeds a Step-by-Step Guide

    Germination is where it all begins! Learn about the science of germination, common germination practices, tips and tricks. Includes Dr Coco's Step-by-step guide to germinating cannabis seeds!

  • How to Grow Cannabis Seedlings in Coco Coir

    Getting little plants through the seedling stage can be tough in coco. To help you minimize the problems and maximize your success, we offer this step-by-step guide to raising seedlings in coco coir.

  • How to Clone Cannabis Plants

    Dr. Photon explains the science and practice of cloning cannabis and offers his fast cloning method for rooted clones in about a week!

  • Transplanting Cannabis Plants: Why, When & How

    Transplanting cannabis plants is the best way to develop a healthy root mass and ensure vigorous early growth. Learn the theory behind the practice and when & how to transplant cannabis for the best growth.

Plant Training

  • Why You Should Train Cannabis Plants

    We explain the science behind plant training to help you understand the practices. Learn about apical dominance, the efficient use of light, and why training cannabis plants leads to bigger better harvests.

  • Topping Cannabis Plants: Why, When & How

    Topping is a central plant training practice. Learn the science about why topping works, when you should top, and how to actually go about it.

  • Mainlines & Manifolds: The Best Ways to Train Cannabis Plants

    Explore the plant science behind mainline and manifold training. We define each method, explain the benefits and compare them with other methods. Learn why we think they are the best ways to train cannabis plants!

  • How to Mainline Cannabis Plants

    Dr. Coco's cannabis mainline training tutorial. I answer the questions about cannabis mainline training and provide step-by-step instructions how to mainline cannabis plants.

  • How to Manifold Cannabis Plants

    Dr. Coco's cannabis manifold training tutorial. Q&A about manifolds and step-by-step instructions for how to manifold cannabis plants. I include tips and advice about manifolding clones and auto-flowers.

  • When & How to Supercrop Cannabis Plants

    Supercropping is a high stress technique of pinching and folding stalks. It is a key training practice to manage the canopy of your indoor cannabis grow. Learn how to supercrop to increase yield without risking plant injury.

  • How to do a Sea of Green for Cannabis

    A sea of green (SOG) is a high density grow technique using a lot of plants and growing them for a short period of time. Learn why this is such an efficient strategy and how you could set up a SOG.

Coming Soon
  • How to Train Mainlines & Manifolds in Late Vegetation & Flowering

Fertilizers & Watering

Watering-Fertigation

Fertilizers, Supplements & pH

Cannabis Biography

The Cannabis Plant

Coming Soon
  • The Difference Between Cannabis Seeds and Clones
  • Cannabis Sex: Female vs Male Plants
  • Photo-Period and Auto-Flowering Cannabis Plants

Coco for Cannabis Community

At Coco for Cannabis we cultivate the spirit of collaboration along with our plants! This is a place where growers can communicate anonymously with fellow growers. It is an inclusive and collaborative community. We are interested in learning, sharing and growing together.

You are invited to join our community of growers. We have a Live Chat Room, a Customized Grower’s Forum, and we do collaborative Grow Challenges throughout the year!

Grow Your Own, But Don't Grow Alone... Let's Grow Together!

Equipment & Product Guide

The Coco for Cannabis equipment and product guide is a resource for home growers. We understand how difficult it can be to know what specific grow equipment is the best for growing cannabis. We offer our product reviews and equipment recommendations to help you understand what you need, where you should invest and where you can save.