. . . I am guessing that NL5 x skunk uses Skunk #1, making that an identical 'family of breed' to Nordle. I suppose differences between the offered strains may be due to the use of varying specific parent(s) or lines of either Afghan or Skunk.
Nordle is "Afghan T" (AfgT) x Skunk #1
AfgT is one of several phenos Nevil got from Jim Ortega (dogless here on the board.) His indica line was described by Nev as kind of an "all in one" like the northern lights line he worked. He had a hashplant type, a big bud type, a kush type, and the AfgT was described as being skunky, as skunky as Sam's skunk #1, but it was pure indica.
AfgT had a sister, AfgS which is said to be sweeter.
AfgT is used as a female in Nordle and Afghan Haze (same plant.)
As part of Nordle and Afghan Haze, it finds itself used in several of the Limited Editions
Nordle:
Nevil's Skunk (Nordle male)
Angle Heart (Nordle male)
Afg Haze:
Angel's Breath (Afg Haze Male)
Critical Haze (Afg Haze Male)
Early Haze (Afg Haze Male)
Master Kaze (Afg Haze Male)
You can see it is used on both sides of a single cross in Shanti's ASH.
As you can see, the Afghan T Female finds itself into the middle of a large part of the MNS catalog.
Northern Lights is a completely different collection of "types."
From the MNS strain list:
NL5 x Skunk: 50% Afghan, 50% Skunk
Ratings:
4/5 aroma
4/5 medicinal value
5/5 yield
Nordle: 50% Afghan, 50% Skunk#1
Ratings:
4.5/5 aroma
5/5 medicinal value
4.5/5 yield
Critical Mass: Afghan x Skunk #1
Ratings:
4/5 aroma
4.5/5 medicinal value
5/5 yield
Nordle is given best medicinal value of 5/5, with best aroma of the three. NL5 x Skunk, and Critical Mass, are both shown as the top yielders at 5/5, with slightly lower medicinal.
Anyone have input to offer that would further help a person understand and appreciate these strains and practical or even subtle difference between them? Are the differences subtle, or considered actually notable?
From the ratings alone Nordle sounds good, since I'm choosing a seed pack on behalf of a friend fighting a recently diagnosed, late-stage case of cancer. Top-rated yield of Critical Mass also seems attractive since it's rated nearly at the top for medicinal. But really, are the differences between these three strains noticeable (mainly effect, medicinal value and yield) or are we talking basically six of one/half-dozen the other??
Forgive pls if this has already been hashed out in the forum somewhere. If a forum member(s) have grown out some or all of these and can say a few words about what they thought mainly in terms of the effect and medicinal value (is it restful, narcotic, or other) in relative terms among the 3 strains, I'd appreciate it. Personally I've never grown any indica dom. strain before, nor smoked one either to my knowledge.
It sounds like it would help for you to read some of the smoke reports on the 2 strains (Nordle and Critical mass.)
Having smoked NEITHER, my guess would be that CM will be more euphoric and Nordle more medicinal.
Euphoria is not a bad thing.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with either.
Given the level of experience and the occasional report of hermies in Ortega being intollerant of mistakes in environment control.
Nordle or CM seems like the best bet for a first grow.
How is the humidity level where you are growing? CM is susceptible to bud rot if your environment is less than ideal, it may present some challenges Nordle does not.