Flying Dutchmen
Aurora Borealis is the Latin name for the natural phenomena at
the North Pole otherwise known as “Northern Lights,” which in
turn is the name of one of this plant’s celebrity parents.
Northern Lights is an indica strain that, during the 1980s,
made its way from the Pacific Northwest to the Netherlands,
where it has become a building block for many strains around
the world. The Northern Lights #10 mother was selected for
commercial production back in 1997. While Northern Lights
was specifically bred for the then-fledgling indoor grow scene,
the other parent in this famous pair, Skunk #1, was initially
bred for outdoors and greenhouse cultivation. The resulting
plants are of a medium height, with dark green foliage and
short internodes and a 50/50 sativa/indica phenotype
expression. Aurora Borealis may have a less recognizable name
than her parents, but her genetics shine through to reveal her
family ties.
This strain can be grown in all suitable mediums and will
thrive in most temperate regions. Outdoors, in Holland, the
Aurora B. matures in mid-October. She comes up stocky with
dark green foliage. Plants started in May in Holland, and left
unpruned, usually finish at a height of around 5-6 feet (1.5-2
m). They yield around 300 grams per plant, weather
permitting. Greenhouse yields are higher, surpassing 500
grams per plant.
Indoors, the Aurora B. performs best under a sea of green
regime at a density of 16-25 plants per square meter. She
thrives on generous nutrient levels and performs best in a
good, rich, well aerated soil high in organic matter. Allow for a
vegetative time of around 10 days or until the canopy cover is
about 70% when viewed from above. Do not prune that canopy
unless a longer vegetation time is required. All feeding should
cease during the last 10 days of flowering so as not to impair
the taste of the final product. The height of Aurora Borealis
under this regime is usually around 1-2 feet (40-60 cms) and its
yield ranges from 25 to 40 grams per plant, at 600 watts of
light per square meter.
Once the plants mature they exhibit fairly long, broad colas
with a medium density and very high resin content. The smell
and taste is satisfyingly sweet, with a warm skunky undertone.
The plants’ odor is very pungent until fully dried and cured.
Aurora B.’s high leans toward the physical, starting strong,
with a long lasting and well balanced plateau and a gentle
finish. Medicinally, this strain works well to alleviate symptoms
for which indicas are generally prescribed, such as chronic
pain, spasms, sleeplessness and nausea.