Starting Peppers Indoors

I'm starting a few peppers early indoors under 3500k LED. Two were started about one month ago and the rest at various times throughout the last two weeks.
 
Here is my pepper list 1 of each
 
Banana
Anaheim
Big Jim Hot Pepper (supposed to be biggest chilly pepper in the world with the heat of a jalapeno)
Pepperoncini
Habanada
And lastly seeds I saved from a small red pepper that looked like a small 3'' banana pepper
 
First I'm having a bit of trouble. The first two I planted (Anaheim and Habanada) in coco coir hydrated from an 11lb bail mixed with lobster compost. These sprouted and didn't grow a set of true leaves after two weeks. Now they are just starting to push out a set of leaves. The problem may have been a combination of overwatering and the lights were too close. Since figuring this out the lights have been raised to 30'' above the pots as per the seller recommendation yesterday.
 
Overview of the grow room (3'x3')

 
Habanada

 
Anaheim

 
Lastly, a miniature rose I'm growing for fun

 
As you can see the peppers are really small for two weeks since sprouting.

 

[PaulG]

Good to see you underway, Johnny!
 
Have you given the coco coir any nutrients?
 
Several weeks in coir doesn’t give the plants
much to grow on, especially with the small
cotyledons.

 

[johnny1990]

Good to see you underway, Johnny!
 
Have you given the coco coir any nutrients?
 
Several weeks in coir doesn’t give the plants
much to grow on, especially with the small
cotyledons.

 

I didn't think they were big enough for nutrients. If they are I have Biothrive grow (organic) or MaxGro (chemical) generally I use MaxiGro for everything. Half to 1 tsp per gallon of water

 

[PaulG]

I might suggest some half or quarter strength
nutrients just to give them some impetus.
 
I have used General Hydroponics Rapid Start
on the seedlings with good results the past
couple of seasons.

 

[johnny1990]

Today I was happy to see hooks the Pepperoncini should be fully sprouted tomorrow.

 

[johnny1990]

I might suggest some half or quarter strength
nutrients just to give them some impetus.
 
I have used General Hydroponics Rapid Start
on the seedlings with good results the past
couple of seasons.

I watered the plants with about 1/4 tsp Maxigro. Hopefully this helps

 

[PaulG]

I don’t think that can hurt, Johnny.
 
I hope it works out for you.

 

[CaneDog]

Getting your watering correct with young sprouts in such (relatively) big containers can be difficult and may be a factor.  I like to start with smaller containers until their roots are more developed and then transplant up.  The algae on the surface suggests they might be staying a bit too wet.
 
Fun grow list and good eating peppers!
 
EDIT:  Also, did you pre-charge your coir?  Those blocks aren't always immediately suitable to good growing, which may also factor in.

 

[johnny1990]

Getting your watering correct with young sprouts in such (relatively) big containers can be difficult and may be a factor.  I like to start with smaller containers until their roots are more developed and then transplant up.  The algae on the surface suggests they might be staying a bit too wet.
 
Fun grow list and good eating peppers!
 
EDIT:  Also, did you pre-charge your coir?  Those blocks aren't always immediately suitable to good growing, which may also factor in.

I don't have any small pots because I like to start plants in the final pot it will be grown in. The smallest pot I have is 7''x7''x8'' those are the black square pots you see in the picture. Which will be planted outside late may. The fabric pots are 3gal and will stay indoor to try indoor growing.
 
Unfortunately, I do tend to overwater sometimes especially when at the seedling stage.
 
No I didn't charge the coir instead mixed a little bit of lobster compost with the coir before planting. For my most recent planting I mixed in some vermiculite for drainage and soil texture.
 
Honestly, I just upgraded to these led lights and it has been a bit of a hassle compared to the old 400w Metal Halide in the same amount of space (3'x3' tent). They need to be about 3' above the seedlings whereas the MH could be placed 1'-2' away. The luxmeter on my phone says the light is about 13,000 lux at plant level if that helps.

 

[johnny1990]

I planted two more peppers today! Yay!!
 
1 Another Pepperoncini
2 Golden Marconi
 
Now the tent is full so I can't plant anymore on till may 21st (last frost date)

 

[PaulG]

Always room for a couple of more seeds, Johnny!
 
I hope you have great success with them!

 

[johnny1990]

Always room for a couple of more seeds, Johnny!
 
I hope you have great success with them!

Thank you Paul

 

[johnny1990]

I don’t think that can hurt, Johnny.
 
I hope it works out for you.

I think it did help. Both the peppers are putting on some new growth.

 

[PaulG]

Good to hear your plants are recovering!

 

[johnny1990]

Here is an update on the peppers. Still waiting on the last 3 to sprout.
 
Overview

 
 
Ana

 
Notice the purple leaves of the Pepperoncini

 
The store peppers finally sprouted

 
Lastly check out the rose doing wonderful

 
I also bought a moisture meter to get my watering down pat. Basically you just water when the gauge says 3 or lower. It works really good and yes I was over watering.

 

[johnny1990]

The Golden Marconi and 3 gal Pepperoncini have sprouted now all that is left is Big Jim pepper.

 

[CaneDog]

Good luck rounding things out with the Big Jim, Johnny.  I struck out with germinating them last season, but I have a feeling this year is going to be a good year for them. The foliage on the Pepperoncini looks great!  Do you know if that will stay as dark as the plants get bigger?

 

[johnny1990]

Good luck rounding things out with the Big Jim, Johnny.  I struck out with germinating them last season, but I have a feeling this year is going to be a good year for them. The foliage on the Pepperoncini looks great!  Do you know if that will stay as dark as the plants get bigger?

Thanks for the tip about big jim. Mine still haven't sprouted.
 
Unfortunately I don't know if the pepperoncini will stay purple or not. The other one which is in a bigger pot is not purple. So it's perplexing

 

[johnny1990]

Here is a small update on the plants. Almost everything has sprouted except the Big Jim's (from rareseeds). All my other seeds from rareseeds have sprouted so I'll hope for the best.
 
On to the pics
 
Banana pepper doing the best of all

 
Ana looking good

 
Sweet Hab looking good as well

 
The rose is starting to flower already!

 
Lastly an overview

 
Also I am learning to water with the moisture meter. Happy to see less algae forming on the soil so that is good. And the plants look good just wish they would start growing.

 

[johnny1990]

So it's been a few weeks and some plants have been culled due to bad growth habits. Other than that all is growing well except at the beginning of their lives I overwatered too much. I think this may have stunted some of them however, they are growing out of it.
 
Following is an up close and personal photoshoot for each remaining plant
 
Golden Marconi

 
Habanada

 
Store pepper (my favorite)

 
Pepperoncini

 
Banana Pepper (best preforming)

 
Anaheim