Northern Lights #2: The Structural Engineer
Northern Lights #2: The Structural Engineer
Strain Overview
Type: Pure Indica (Afghan Heritage)
Breeder: Originally "The Indian" (Seattle) / Preserved by Neville Schoenmakers
Lineage: Northern Lights (Phenotype #2)
Famous Offspring: The father of Lowryder (The First Autoflower)
THC Content: 15% – 19%
Dominant Terpenes: Pinene, Myrcene, Humulene
Key Effects: Functional Relaxation, Clear-Headed Calm, Muscle Relief, Sturdy Stability
In the pantheon of cannabis legends, Northern Lights #5 gets all the glory. It is the flashy, high-yielding superstar that swept the Cannabis Cups. But Northern Lights #2 is the unsung hero—the sturdy, unshakeable backbone that built the modern industry.
While NL#5 was famous for its resin, NL#2 was famous for its structure. Originating from the legendary "11 Seeds" brought from Seattle to Holland in the 1980s, Phenotype #2 was identified as the toughest, most resilient of the bunch. It grew short, stocky, and virtually immune to pests.
This resilience is exactly why The Joint Doctor selected Northern Lights #2 to breed the original Lowryder. He needed a strain strong enough to carry the weak Ruderalis genetics without collapsing. If you have ever grown a modern autoflower, you are looking at the genetic legacy of Northern Lights #2.
History and Lineage: The Seattle 11
The history of Northern Lights is the history of indoor growing.
The Origin: The story begins with a man known only as "The Indian" on an island near Seattle. He grew 11 distinct plants from pure Afghan landrace seeds.
The Migration: In 1985, these genetics were sent to Neville Schoenmakers in Holland (The Seed Bank). Neville numbered them #1 through #11.
The Selection:
#1: The standard, pure Indica.
#5: The resin queen (Clone-Only).
#2: The tank. It was a potent, bushy plant with thick stems and a shorter flowering time (45-50 days). It became the preferred breeding male for creating stable hybrids.
Terpene Profile: The Smell of the 80s
Northern Lights #2 smells like a vintage Dutch coffeeshop. It lacks the fruitiness of modern strains, offering a purely herbal and woody profile.
Dominant Terpenes
Pinene (The Forest): This is the defining terpene of the Northern Lights family. It smells intensely of fresh pine needles and juniper.
Myrcene (The Earth): Provides the damp, musky, soil-like base that characterizes Afghan Indicas.
Humulene (The Hops): Adds a woody, spicy undertone that contributes to the "Old School" funk.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: Clean, fresh pine sap, wet earth, and spicy hash. It is not "loud" or offensive; it is subtle and crisp.
The Smoke: Incredibly smooth. It tastes of juniper berries, sandalwood, and soft earth.
Strain Effects: The Functional Indica
Unlike its sister (NL#5), which is a "one-hit quitter," Northern Lights #2 offers a more manageable high.
The Experience
The Calm: The high settles in the body almost immediately. It is a feeling of great physical relief, like taking off a heavy backpack.
The Clarity: Surprisingly, the head remains clear. The high levels of Pinene counteract the mental fog often associated with heavy Indicas. You feel stoned, but present.
The Stability: There is no anxiety, no racing heart, and no paranoia. It is a very stable, grounding experience.
The Fade: Eventually, the Myrcene catches up, leading to a gentle, restorative sleep.
Best For: After-work relaxation, treating back pain while remaining functional, and novice smokers who want to experience a classic Indica.
Medical Benefits
NL#2 is a "structure" strain for the body as well as the garden.
Muscle Spasms: Its primary medical use is as a muscle relaxant. It unknots tight backs and necks effectively.
Anxiety: The clear-headed nature of the high makes it excellent for patients who get anxious from "heady" strains.
Digestive Issues: The Pine/Earth profile is often soothing for nausea and stomach cramping.
Stress: It provides a "protective bubble" against daily stress.
Growing Northern Lights #2: The Indestructible
This is the plant you recommend to a first-time grower who kills everything they touch.
Growth Structure
The Stature: It is short and stout. It rarely stretches, making it perfect for small indoor spaces (hence its use in Lowryder).
The Hardiness: It is resistant to mold, spider mites, and temperature fluctuations. It is a survivor.
The Yield: Moderate to High. It produces dense, rock-hard nuggets clustered around a thick central stem.
Flowering Time: 6 to 7 weeks (Extremely fast).
Grower’s Tip: Because it is so leafy and bushy, you must defoliate (remove fan leaves) in the center of the plant to ensure light reaches the lower buds. Otherwise, the center stays too dark.
Final Verdict: The Genetic Backbone
Northern Lights #2 is not the strain you choose for "hype." You choose it for reliability. It is the concrete foundation upon which the modern autoflower skyscraper was built. By crossing this sturdy, potent, pine-scented tank with the Mexican Ruderalis, breeders saved the autoflower genre from obscurity. It remains one of the best examples of pure Afghan genetics available today.
You should choose Northern Lights #2 if:
You want to grow the father of Lowryder.
You need a strain that is easy to grow and finishes fast.
You prefer Pine and Hash flavors over fruit.
You want a functional Indica high that doesn't turn your brain to mush.
Score: 8.8/10 (The Structural Engineer)