content: If you knew more, you might say less. Weight can be supported at the stem, smart growers cut the bottom branches off anyway, plenty of area for a clamp. Also growing plants into a canopy net reduces the weight strain while increasing yield. Doubling or tripling growth means more crops per year. Careful monitoring of you ppm with a meter is crucial in growing without soil , and you can adjust flavor at the end. Soil leads to root gnats, along with other pests. It is also difficult to water evenly, and nutrients build up salts in it. Oh yeah, heavy as hell in a proper container. If you have the luxury of outdoor growing in full sun, go for it, most people can't.