how / what exactly is hydroponics (sp) and how wold i if i can go from a simple pot and dirt to hydro. is one better then the other?
There are a number of wway to grow hydro. One simple one: fill up a bucket almost all the way full of water, add fertilzer/nutrients, stick a bubbler (one of those things in an aquarium) in the bottom, cut a hole in the lid, put in a plant in a net pot (planter with lots of holes in the bottom/sides), set that planter into the hole so the bottom of the medium (most people plant a seed/clone in rockwool and put that in a net pot surrounded by lava or gro-rox) sits in the water. Then, as roots grow let the water level in the bucket go down to just where 1/2 of the roots are. The advantages: much faster growth during veg. Another advantage: When you get for example an ebb n flo system fine-tuned, you can leave it unattended for up to a week, or longer. Everythings on timers. There are also techique's such as ebb n flo & nft (nutrient film technique). There is one more type called aeroponics but that is labor intensive.
Which is better - soil or hydro? That's a damn good question! It's like which is better - Ford or Chevy? Soil folks will say that "Nothing can beat a good organic grow in soil". Of course, hydro folks will counter with "You have complete control over every variable - of course hydro is better". I think the bottom line is - they are different. Exellent results can be obtained using either method. The skill and knowledge of the grower is much more important, IMHO. Just my $.02 woth. My advice is that you perfect your growing skills in soil (It's more forgiving of mistakes). Then move up to hydro, after you really understand what you are doing. In the mean time, read - read - read!!! Good luck!
