Pros and cons to both soil and hydro... and those are mostly based on perspective and preference.
Hydro is super fast... fast growing, fast dying, fast ailing, fast fixing.
It really speaks to the hands-on Mr. Fix-it tinkerer in me.
It can be almost pest-proof, but can also be more disease and environment prone.
It defies my preference for things in their natural state, but feeds my scientific inclination.
But it's terrible for the sloth in me... hydro plants can get away from you and become hard to manage in the blink of an eye.
Soil is slow going, set and forget, and intrinsic.
It speaks to my 'let it be' nature. My feels.
You can really 'see' the plants being happier and healthier in a well-established soil comprised of whole natural ingredients.
It can also be frustrating. There are many unseen moving parts in that soil ecology. Bugs are a bitch! Soil microbiome and aeration can be a silent killer.
The plants take their time in it and so do deficiencies and remedies.
But that's a great way to teach you to take your time... plan better, be patient, leave expectations at the door, and hear instead of just listen.
Soil's a way to the heart of being human; hydro's a way to the mind of being human.
While they're both fascinating and interesting to me, I'm eager to go back to amended soil and IPM practices.
But, for now, I'm looking to up my stash.