Northern Lights: a Legendary Classic Strain and a True Indica
Northern Lights is a well-known and multi-awarded Indian strain of Afghan genetic heritage. Few indices have reached a common reputation like Northern Lights except for legendary ones. Considered a fundamental strain for indoor cannabis growers, Northern Lights remains extremely popular with cannabis growers and smokers as they make their mark on today’s cannabis genetics. You have tried the Northern Lights or one of their variants if you are into cannabis.
It has won numerous awards around the world since its first appearance at Northern Lights in the mid 1980s. It is one of the most renowned cannabis species of all time with its exceptional consistency. Genetics from the Northern Lights have provided the basis for many of the most popular indicative strains such as White Widow, Chronic, Haze, Special Kush and more today. Let us explore this famous classic indica dominant strain, a truly legendary strain of cannabis.
HISTORY AND ORIGINS OF NORTHERN LIGHTS
The precise roots of the strain are elusive, and this is also the case when you look at the past of legendary strains like Northern Lights. It is said that somebody identified as The Indian” crossed the strain somewhere on an island in the US near Seattle, Washington State. Some claim the plant may have come to California or Oregon, the elusive Indian.
“The Indian” has reportedly grown 11 plants that he has called Northern Lights, probably Afghan landraces. For its yield, effects and other qualities, he carefully compared his plants. He had two trees, the large blossoms, the good outputs and the excellent production of resin: Northern Lights. Without the “king of cannabis” and founder of the very first seed bank, no one will be aware of Northern Lights.
According to others, during his trip in the early 1980s, he was the one who discovered the strain. He introduced female clones from the plant to the Netherlands throughout history, experimenting with the genetics of cannabis from around the world. In 1985, he launched his “Netherlands Seed Bank” with the first version of the newly discovered variation. Northern Lights #1 he quickly sold and became a bestseller and he promoted it in pure Afghan indica. He combines several other strains of North Lights with Thai sativa, which is why many strains of North Lights are sold today as Afghan and Thai sativa crosses.
For many reasons, indoor cannabis growers consider Northern Lights to be a must-have symbol. They love the plant as it is simple to grow and bloom in 8 weeks. Grown in hydroponics, the wait shortened to around six weeks, even quicker. This enables farmers to still rely on excellent output value.
Due to the large space between the node, Northern Lights becomes a compact and bushy plant with firm buds, that are easy to cut. Some strain phenotypes, such as the original NL #1 phenotype, can only grow one head and produce a tall, spread plant that looks ‘grass’ at the end of a stick. However the strain occurs more generally as a small conifer with a wide central trunk surrounded by four or five side branches such as those of the original Northern lights.
Though the tension’s buds are broad and thick, they aren’t so dense that the mold becomes a difficult issue. This is also an especially good strain for Northern Lights to grow in wet conditions. As the plant matures it covers its dark green buds with a dense layer of sparkling trichomes.
No wonder the plant, thanks to its Afghan heritage, is very sun-loving. It is well tolerant to dry climates and drought and performs in more challenging environments extremely well as an outdoor plant. It can grow to a respectable level in good soil with sufficient food and water. The Northern Lights are exceptionally powerful and resilient compared to other strains and makes it easy to grow in many different environments.