Hydro vs soil lockdown boredom

[HighDesertRat]

Probably gonna start something.... hopefully just good conversation.
These are purple punch bx2 from seed.
They're on 12/12 from seed. They'll be going outside in a few weeks when our light reaches 12.5-13 hours.
Anyway, they went into the paper towel Feb 20.

The lighter is for scale.
Not sure what order the pics will display, but the plant in the hydroton ( first pic ?!) is clearly more robust with larger, fatter leaves than the one in soil. I have 6 in soil, the one pictured is the largest of the 6.
Same age, same lights, same temps, humidity, etc.

The soil is my own mix...tree detritus, alfalfa based goat manure, wood ash, bits n Bob's of eggshells and some other stuff...the mix sat for a year and cooked...the weeds in it were freaking huge when i dug it out, so I know it's at least pretty decent...not claiming it's awesome by any means...but stuff doesn't die in it.

The hydro system is basically rdwc. I'm using GH maxibloom, 650-700ppm
pH swings weekly between 5.6 to 6.3.
Hydroguard to keep the bad spirits at Bay.

​​​​​​​To see them in person the contrast is pretty Stark.
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[swegrow]

Some fat leaves on the rdwc. Big difference. Nice!

 

[Cali]

The real question is which one is going to taste and have better effects on you after harvest? I put my money on the soil, of your not adding any bottled nutrients otherwise it’s the same thing to me. Just one grows faster than the others

 

[Daskahn]

Best thing to do is about a week or two before the dwc one is done stop giving it nutes and switch to local honey

 

[HighDesertRat]

I use GH maxibloom from start to finish for the dwc. Only other thing I add is hydroguard. I've never needed additives...my tap water basically comes with free cal.mag in it...
Cali, all else being equal, the faster growth is exactly the point.
If the plants are happy they will reward you with their best.