I've only grown basil hydroponically. It did start quite slow, but that may be normal. It took off after about a month. Peppers are slow as heck too, so it may just be that you are impatient (aren't we all! :))

If you want to jumpstart growth, adding more nitrogen will likely do that. But I bet your plants are just settling in and will have explosive growth in about 2 more weeks.

What is your light source?

i have a 600w future brite, but the light has been messed up lately, turning off every so often. how could this affect the plants?? thanks

Lots of good light>>>>>big plants

Not so good light>>>>>not so big plants

I disagree. If the light it turning off, it will tend to make the plants taller and more leggy than if it was working properly. Plant a seed or move a plant into a corner of your garden room that doesn't get any light to prove it if you don't believe me. The fact that they are staying compact is a sign that they are getting good light imo.

That is, as long as the color of the leaves is still typical. I don't know what cosmo is (other than a magazine my wife reads) but are the rocket, basil and pepper leaves all a deep green color? If so, I stand by the 'wait and see' idea I offered earlier.