I am a just a few weeks into my first grow and probably not the one you want to answer but I think the old timers get kind of tired, periodically, of anwswering the same questions so I'll give it a go....
First, If you intend to grow I would step up the reading from casual to something more intensive. Read everything you can about methods before you decide on one and once you decide read everything you can find on that particular method. The FAQ here is great, very informative and there are lots of others on the web as well. Once you get an idea of what everyone is talking about you could immerse yourself in the grow journals for a bit and watch a few people do it in real life. The grow journals are a fabulous way to see what problems pop up, in what conditions they appear, and what can be done to respond to it.
Second, you can grow any type of weed you want. During your reading you'll learn that some genetics are just easier than others to start with, some are just less finiky and can better handle the newbie abuse that you will likely dish out. (I read for 7 months and I have still abused the hell out of mine)
Third, You can grow in a cab, homemade, premade, under your house, in your yard, in your attic, anywhere really. If you can control the conditions well enough you can grow there. The key is keeping the environment within the parameters that allow for growth. Premade cabs are expensive because someone else puts it together. You can do it yourself for a whole heck of a lot less money, but you'll have to read more to know what to purchase, why you need it, and how to set it up and use it.
Lastly, Hydro is a growing method... not a strain. I am growing a Big Bud/ Northern Lights cross, hydroponically (very newbie friendly btw). If I grew it in soil it would still be BBXNL, just wouldn't be hydro. Make sense?
Good Luck when you get to the grow part of the journey. Happy reading....
