Normally they shouldn't be repotted this early, but you need to cut those peat pots off. They will take some of the roots with them, but if you don't the roots can't develop properly. Plunk the exposed root balls into larger (3-4") prepared pots.

You want to go into a potting *mix* (not potting soil). There are several good ones at varying price points. Miracle Gro Moisture Control is common (I used it in Georgia; I'm not sure that I like the Texas version as well, and yours may differ too).

Now what is this about heat lamps? Are they your primary illumination? They provide a poor spectrum for photosynthesis. Common fluorescents are much better for that. Yet heat lamps do help to keep the temperature up, so leave them on?

Please tell us more about your setup.

And WELCOME.

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for the help!
Oops...little typo-it was suppose to say heat pads and lamps, not heat lamps.
I have a larger table, on top of it a 4 foot fluorescent light stand, and then just the regular heat mats.

:)

Thanks again,

Ursula

Once they've germinated you want to get them off the heat mats and under "daylight" CFLs. Wet them down and carefully peel off the peat pots, separate the plants and pot individually using the potting "mix" as recommended for the tomatoes on the other forum.

Though I don't see a "pot" in the picture?

Your plants look really stressed. Maybe it's because you are keeping them so cold? I think it would be better to keep day temps above 60 degrees. I've never seen stems that were blue like that. I started my peppers, including jalapeños, on March 15, and they all have at least one set of true leaves. I definitely think you should not use heat mats after germination. How close is the light? If you're using fluorescents, they should be no more than 2 inches from the lights.

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for the help!
Oops...little typo-it was suppose to say heat pads and lamps, not heat lamps.
I have a larger table, on top of it a 4 foot fluorescent light stand, and then just the regular heat mats.

:)

Thanks again,

Ursula

With the "pot" I meant the the coco peat (including the peel).

I was told the purple can be pretty normal with growing plants, it's called Anthocyanins.

I have repotted them in a planting mix and they are back under the lights. We shall see how they will fair :).

Thank you all for helping me :).

It's greatly appreciated.

I totally missed the temperature. I would think that the lights and mats have been keeping them warm enough, though once you take them off the mats you might need to drape something to keep the little bit of heat from the lights in.

You're right that sometimes the stems will be purple - I've got a lot with purple stems (though not the jals) and mine are in 67-degree room.

I started mine March 15 as well, the jals were a little slower than some of the others so don't have their first true leaves yet but yours should be now - I do think that either the cold or possibly wet roots, rootbound (?) might have been keeping them back but once you repot they should start growing.

I did leave the heater on in our bedroom over night tonight (not used to it, so I was sweating...lol) to make the transition for them a little easier. I will leave the cups on the heat mat for a couple of days or so. It is suppose to warm up this week (temporarily) to almost 70, so I am hoping the basement won't be as cold.
So far, they are alive and not showing any signs of distress. Let's hope they start growing :).

Thanks again,
Ursula