Trinidad Scorpion
Capsicum chinense
Also known asTrinidad Moruga Scorpion · Scorpion pepper · Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates. Strict on light; outside the DLI band, yields drop sharply.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 9–13 (winter low around -7°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: moderate.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) | neutral / inert | very low | low |
| Rockwool (Mineral wool) | alkaline until pre-soaked | very high | low |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.2 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| flowering | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.6 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.8 |
Companion-growing notes
- Heavy uptake of potassium, calcium. Co-grown crops with the same demand will end up deficient even at "correct" EC.
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
Culture is standard for C. chinense superhots (see habanero, ghost pepper entries). EC 2.0-3.5 mS/cm. pH 5.5-6.5. Temperature: 24–32°C. Very high light (DLI 20-28 mol/m2/day). Long season: 100-130 days. Plants are medium to large (60–100 cm). Each plant produces 20-40 fruits. Handle with nitrile gloves; at 2+ million SHU, the capsaicin concentration is extreme enough to cause chemical burns on skin and severe respiratory irritation from fumes. The primary use is hot sauce: blend with vinegar, garlic, and tropical fruit for a sauce that delivers both extreme heat and the characteristic C. chinense fruitiness. Dried and ground Trinidad Scorpion powder is used as a heat additive in extreme hot sauces and spice challenges. A single plant produces more heat than most people can consume in a year.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Origin | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad Moruga Scorpion | open pollinated | 110 | From the Moruga region of Trinidad, the variant that briefly held the Guinness record in 2012. Average 1.2 million Scoville, peak tests 2 million. Red, walnut-sized. | |
| Trinidad Scorpion Butch T | open pollinated | Butch Taylor | 105 | Stable named strain, held the world record briefly before Moruga. 1.4 million Scoville average. |
| Yellow Trinidad Scorpion | open pollinated | 110 | Yellow at ripeness, slightly milder than red (still 800,000+ Scoville), brighter citrus note. Hobby variety. | |
| Chocolate Trinidad Scorpion | open pollinated | 115 | Dark brown at ripeness, sometimes called '7 Pot Douglah' depending on strain. Among the hottest peppers in average testing (1.85 million Scoville). |