1. Supplies are found online, ebay or a hydroponics store or a local nursery of plant store, hell even most stuff can be found in walmart..i hate that store..lol...
2. The female if pollinated will grow and produce seeds, you dont want that unless you want seeds for your next grow.
3. Hummm..if yo start small maybe $100 to start, depends on what kind of lights-CFL's or High Pressure Sodium (expensive). Soil is cheap, pots are cheap and fans are cheap.
4. First stage is popping your seeds(2-10 days), then your veggin stage (2-6 weeks depending on the size you want), then blooming stage, when the budz show up (6-10 weeks depending on strains) Indica strains are fastest 6-8 weeks...Sativas are longer(8-11 weeks). Get your self a good grow book at any book store or High Times. Skunk, Cannabi Culture Magazines, they will help out too.