My fifth of a dime:
Every time I grow Northern Lights, and I have since the 80's... I see the same growth patterns and color and effects. the plant won't get taller than 4 feet no matter how long it grows (especially true indoors). The leaves are very deep emerald green against the buds - which are the brightest "powder" green (only way to describe it). During the first parts of the life-cycle, the leaves look like an indica dominant hybrid. As the plant matures, leaves come out that are SUPER SKINNY with SUPER NARROW BLADES, like sativa. As these leaves get bigger, however, they get that familiar Indica round curve out on the bottom of the leaf blades. Sativa leaves don't do that. Then the fans on the buds - they are also very narrow and sativa looking. the sugar leaves are just rigid edge triangular protrusions. ALL OF THEM ARE THINNER THAN PAPER... another trait that don't show up in too many Indica plants I ever grew. So that is my experience with this strain. I have used it to make some of the best crosses I ever made. These plants will always amaze an unfamiliar grower with the sheer enormity of the colas and buds that accompany them. So crossing them with Skunk is an AWESOME cross no matter what NL or Skunk you happen to be working with. The first time I did this was an outdoor crop in the late 80's. People still talk about that shit today. Right now I have Skunk #1 and a REALLY AWESOME copy of some Northern Lights. It won't be too long before I cross them. Its like a seed bag gamble only better because you will never get a dud out of it. The yield time should remain closer to 8 weeks indoors, but if you have some slow skunk, expect it to take 10 or more. It will be MORE than worth it in yield and dankness. Like bag seed gambles, you might end up with a final product that has the potential of becoming the stuff of legends, and I am only speaking from experience here. The Skunk will make it sturdy so the plant that results SHOULD be able to support the MASSIVE colas that will be produced RAPIDLY after switching the lights. Peace.