mmmmmm.....I never grew hydro.....drying and curing? yes. throughout the seasonal changes microbial life populations fluctuate, disappear, reappear. seasonally in nature. what exits in the soil in spring and summer is different than fall...outdoors...fact. my soil indoors does the same I believe. ive been growing a strain for years now. same cutting recloned hundreds of times....its easier to see the bigger picture with fewer variables. I run new seeds all the time as well, but my ten year old deathstar has been a benchmark type plant. that kind of time lets one see how different mixes, mediums, top dressings, teas,etc...effect a plants response to soil and the active life within