Description

SRTSL Pepper Seeds

The Mother of All Superhots

The SRTSL (Sara Ragoonanan Trinidad Scorpion Long) is more than just a Trinidad Scorpion. It’s among the lineage that gave birth to the modern superhot era. With blistering heat, long wrinkled pods, and a direct tie to the early days of pepper trading, the SRTSL is the living link between the mysterious “Devil’s Pepper” of Trinidad and the superhots that later shook the world.

Trinidad and Tobago | Ground Zero

In the early 2000s, Sara shared her Trinidad Scorpion Long with the online chile community. Although Sara never actually used the acronym “SRTSL” herself, many growers in the forums took the liberty of shortening things. Some growers closer to Sara often claim that the “L” in SRTSL actually stood for “Lantern” because of the shape of the pepper. A look into Sara’s Photobucket via the wayback machine does reveal a “Trini Lantern” folder and photos of what seems to be some “secret garden” breeding attempts using Australian lanterns and Trinidad Scorpions. Whatever the truth really is, just adds to the mystery of this incredible tasting Trinidad Scorpion.

This act of generosity had enormous consequences. Growers worldwide began cultivating SRTSL and even more modern superhots as they emerged: Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, 7 Pot, and even peppers with direct ties to Bhut Jolokia’s return from India. Sara’s contribution cemented SRTSL as one of the cornerstones of the superhot revolution. Our original source for this line genetic was Christopher Phillips. Without the kindness of people like Chris and Sara so early on, the superhot pepper scene would be 20 years behind where we currently find ourselves.

Shape as a Genetic Fingerprint

The SRTSL’s long, wrinkled pods show the classic scorpion silhouette. Thin walls, high placenta content running down the length of the pod, and a fierce, tapering tail. Those elongated, but still apparent lobes (potentially from Carribean habaneros and Scotch Bonnets getting into the mix along the way) are a common diagnostic for Trinidadian superhots. Offspring or siblings like the Moruga and 7 Pot shifted toward rounder forms, but the genetic fingerprint is unmistakable. Even the Bhut Jolokia shares this same morphology, albeit without the subtle nipple at the end, linking it back to the same ancestral line as well.

What Makes the SRTSL Special?

✅ Direct from Trinidad – A true scorpion-line pepper preserved by Sara Ragoonanan herself.
✅ The Seedline That Started It All – The genetic bridge between the Devil’s Pepper, Scorpions, Morugas, 7 Pots, and Bhuts.
✅ Classic Superhot Heat – Explosively fiery, averaging around 1M SHU with peaks beyond.
✅ Historic Provenance – An authentic piece of chile history and one of the rarest true-to-type superhots available.

Perfect for Collectors, Breeders & Historians

The SRTSL is not just another hot pepper—it’s the mother of modern superhots. Collectors value it for its authenticity, breeders for its genetic purity, and chile historians for its role in shaping the superhot arms race. If you want to grow the origin point of the modern superhot movement, this is it.

SRTSL Quick Facts

• Name: SRTSL (Sara Ragoonanan Trinidad Scorpion Long)

• Species: Capsicum chinense

• Origin: Trinidad & Tobago; distributed globally by Sara Ragoonanan in the early 2000s

• Growth Habit: Medium to large, highly branching plants with dense foliage

• Fruit: Long, wrinkled, bright red pods with a sharp scorpion tail

• Heat Level: 9.5/10 (Superhot, ~1M SHU+)

• Flavor: Fruity and sweet with a sharp bite, classic chinense sting, one of the very best tasting super hot peppers

• Culinary Uses: Sauces, powders, extreme fresh eating, breeding stock

• Climate: 65–95°F, thrives in tropical and humid conditions

• Soil: Rich, organic, humus-heavy compost with excellent drainage

• Watering: Maintain steady moisture; avoid stress for maximum yields

• Unique: The original seedline linking Devil’s Pepper → Scorpions → Bhuts

• Cultivation Tips: Follow the 4 Pepper Growing Fundamentals I share in this video and you will not fail: https://youtu.be/KRBxnUKY8Kk?si=Va5Ye2NH3fT0HrlE

• Wilder Recommendations: Read about the wild origin of peppers out of South America here: https://pepperguru.com/capsicum-eshbaughii/