I'm having the same problem. I live just up in Redondo Beach (also right by the beach). I researched a lot before planting this garden (my first vegetable garden in CA) and found that peppers like to be staggered between tomatoes for the humidity and sun protection. We planted three bell pepper plants this way and they all seem to be doing okay (even though the tomatoes TOWER above them on all sides). I also have two banana pepper plants in a pot (next to a potted zucchini also blocked from direct sun) and they are fine. All the others (5 plants: bells and bananas) are exactly as you described: stunted, short, and yellow. I got two peppers out of my sickly banana pepper plants but I don't know if I'll see another.
I planted about 8 weeks ago, and the stores are still selling many pepper plants now (I was just out to the nurseries) so I don't think we planted too late/early. I don't know what it's been like in SD, but 2 weekends ago we had an intense heat wave for spring in this part of CA (+90 degrees with a lot of humidity) and now- 2 weeks later- it seems like June Gloom has started early (60's and overcast). Maybe the change in temps has something to do with it?
The only thing I can gather from my peppers doing so well surrounded by tomatoes is that maybe the others would benefit from misting regularly- ??
I don't know, I'm a newbie. I will check back in if I figure anything else out.
Oh, also, have you thought about mulching? I did about a month ago and it was a big pick me up for all my plants- especially the peppers.

I am having the same problem with my peppers and I'm in southern California too. I have six in all and only the mini peppers are growing and blooming. The four regular bells are just sitting there not growing and two of them have yellowish leaves.

I wonder if it has anything to do with our weird weather. You know how it's been, 90s then 60s then 80s then 60s ...sheesh!

the garden n blooom i have on top is mulchy if you will... i wonder if anyone has any suggestions... more water? more fertilizer? less water? less fertilizer? later planting? earlier planting? :) the weather has definitely been up and down... but thats coming from temperate wimps here in so cal... i think plants can handle 60-90 :) maybe im wrong

Hi, I found this site about growing peppers in New Mexico, should jive pretty well with California:
http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/h-240.html

"CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS
Peppers are a warm-season crop and require growing conditions similar to tomato and eggplant. Peppers are highly susceptible to frost; thus transplanting should be delayed until after the last frost in spring. As cool soil temperatures will delay emergence and retard growth, direct seeding and transplanting peppers in the garden should be delayed until soils warm.

Plant growth and fruit set are maximized when daytime temperatures range between 65 and 85°F, with nighttime temperatures of 60­70°F. Blossoms may not set if temperatures drop below 60°F or rise above 90°F. Under ideal conditions, mature green peppers will be ready for harvest 45­55 days after pollination. Cool weather will delay maturity."

Check out my vegetable garden blog:
http://veggiegardenblog.blogspot.com/

our low temperature is 56 at night here in san diego. i think our high has probably been about 85. whats interesting is that the only one that is growing at all is already blossoming and its only 8" tall. i was hoping they would be more like 24" tall. i bought them when they were probably 5" and they have been in the ground a month. the one that has the worst growth i dug up after about 20 days to find that the roots hadnt really grown out at all. of course roots are everything and if there is no plant prob no roots either. you can see how the tomatoes are flourishing right next to their neighbors the peppers tho. i just dont get it. perhaps i should have waited another month to plant them.

One thing that a lot of people use with peppers is putting a row (12" wide) of black plastic down as long as your row and seal the edges with soil. Then cut x's large enough for watering and planting the peppers. This keeps the soil very warm and evens out the temperature when it drops. Might be worth a try?

I've had some problems with my peppers as well. I had 3 cayenne and 3 hab in containers that went downhill from the moment I planted them.

Fortunately, the peppers I put in the ground, while they did get off to a slow start, are starting to turn around. I think that the cool soil temps (down into the high 40's at night back in March) are largely to do with the retarded pepper growth. With nighttime temperatures staying in the mid to high 50's now, I think that things will start popping.

Not to sound like a wise-butt, but are you sure you aren't watching them too closely? Hubby planted out 32 peppers this past weekend. He did it FOR me, not because he wanted to. I've been out there every day, sometimes twice a day to check in on them (so I am an overbearing parent!) and they don't look like they've grown one cm to me.

Dragged hubby on a garden tour this evening. He was amazed at how much the plants have grown! Go figure.

I realize you planted your peppers about 5 weeks ago but if your weather has been on the cool side, maybe they are slowly growing as they stall for things to get warm.

Also, don't kill them with kindness. Over watering can be just as bad for a plant as under watering.

To me, and I have no doubt someone will come along and disagree with me, but to me, your plants look hungry. Maybe a shot of alfalfa tea with fish emulsions and/or some black kow manure put around them will help. Or the blue stuff if you don't have any issues with it. Not telling you which side of the fence I sit on that thought! lol

Another thing, many suggest a type of crop rotation. If I understood your post correctly, you've grown peppers in that spot for a couple of years now? I too am growing peppers in the same box as last year but I did amend the soil very heavily through the fall/winter and into spring.

One last thought, some plants just don't thrive. Like everything else, some are just meant to be runts and not produce well. If you are tired of fussing over these particular plants then by all means don't discount the idea of going out and buying a few more to replant. You know your zone better than me but I would think you should still have time to get some peppers in the ground and still get a crop from them?

Hope I've given you some ideas to consider.

Michelle

My guess would be either to much water or a Nitrogen deficiency. I am leaning towards Nitrogen deficiency, give them a shot of the blue stuff at full strength you will see a big difference in just 2 days if it is lack of nutrients. I was having a problem with my pepper seedlings early on that resembles the same thing your plants are going through I talked to the plant pathologist at Mich. State University and she thought it to be lack of Nitrogen so I gave them Miracle Grow within 2 days my plants were very green and growing like crazy. At this point I do not think it would hurt to try the ferts.

Dale

I go with the too much water as being your problem..if you are watering every 2 days and have mulch around those plants to conserve water, then you are probably overwatering them.

Sounds to me from all the different reports of trouble that not enough warm enough weather is the major problem. I'd go easy on fertilizer as my experience is they are not heavy feeders, but a LITTLE nitrogen might help a bit. If you want to try something I've had lots and reliable success with, dissolve a teaspoon of epsom salts in warm water and spray all the leaves thoroughly. In days, mine have always turned dark green on their way to being bushy and loaded with blossoms...

An update:
I had fertilized my garden just before I read this post (4-5-6 organic fertilizer)... And now my purple bell has started to produce a pepper! The whole plant is maybe 6" tall and still a sickly yellow-green. If that pepper actually grows it will surely topple the whole plant :)

I read on another forum dedicated to California gardeners that a lot of people in SoCA are having this problem- they think it's weather or a Nitrogen def as well.

I think I will try chalstonsc's "a teaspoon of epsom salts in warm water" fix and see if that works. My neighbor just sprayed the retarded plants with overly diluted Fish emulsion, so we'll wait a week for the salt.