is hydroponics a good idea for a first time grower? or is it too complicated?

A friend of mine asked for me some advice about this subject but since i've only grown 2 times(using soil) i have no idea on this matter.. any advice out there? i would really appreciate it

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that ebb and flow using quality nutes and rockwool is easier and more stable than any other way of growing. This is just my opinion.

Quality nutes will give the plant everything it needs so there is no guessing as to a deficiency or excess. If you have a problem then the answer is the same almost every time. It is either temperature/humidity, you pH meter needs calibration or your watering schedule is off.

With soil, you are always guessing and posting pics and asking people what is wrong, yet no one really knows. Many rust spots and curled leaves are not diagnosed properly and root rot stunts buds every day due to soil watering issues.

IMO, rockwook, ebb and flow and high quality nutes are the only way to go.

I hope this helps.

I am a hybred grower I guess. I used soil the first time but I have switched to some other grow medium. I don't know what's in it other that (& excuse the spelling) some Vermiculite, Saphragam? Other stuff.. No soil though.

Someone told me that I am technically growing Hydro because of that. I grow just like soil though. Look in on them daily. Water every 2-3 days. Feed once every 2 waterings type thing. More or less as required.

I think actual hydro, with the pumps, timers & reservoirs is probably easier once your used to it. Kinda like a new cell phone. for the first few days its nothing but frustration but once your used to it its a breeze.

For me my system works. easier & less mess than soil, not as technical as real Hydro growing.

Go for it man. Hydro is not too complicated as long as you are able to read your plant. The good thing you are familiar with nutes. You will definately need a ph meter and a ppm meter to be on the right track. I work with dwc method and its very simple, the only thing is that you have to check it everyday just to play it safe but other than that its pretty simple.........

I never grew anything in my life never a dirt plant, absolutely nothing. I tried out DWC bubbleponic man its easy had great success..

Dirt is physically easier but I agree with Hum215, hydro is pretty darn easy, especially ebb and flow with rockwool. Rockwool holds moisture pretty well so if the dreaded 'timer stops working' or 'the power goes out' scenario should occur, you're not going to lose a crop in a few hours. It's also easier to fix issues in hydro. Leach your medium and resume normal feeding or check your pH or check your TDS. Start up cost is not 'dirt' cheap but assuming one has a half a brain, even a beginner can do hydro.

Go Coco. Best of both worlds.

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The GH WaterFarm is the EASIEST intro to Hydro growing that I can think of, besides the wick system. These have no large reservoir to maintain or calculate for. I was a soil grower and am on my first hydro grow and these farms have been awesome!! I even started a seed in one, right on the hydroton! A few plys of toilet paper held it in place long enough. I do recommend replacing the air pump with a Tetra Air pump from Walmart (60 gal runs 3 very well and is quiet)

Thanks for the feedback guys think im going to try this shit out u lot have really convinced me