I forgot to mention: my wife was looking over my shoulder when I was setting everything back up with the fan and she asked what the dunk was. When I moved it I noticed a couple centepedes and a root. I wasn't concerned about the centipedes at first but as I poked around the soil to check for more roots I noticed maybe 6 or 8 little ones maybe 1/4 inch long crawling around. The roots seem healthy though - they look strong and go all the way out to the edge of the pot. Should I be worried about the centepedes?

It looks like either overfeeding or Ph problems in the soil.

Search water movement and read the thread by talpa that specifically talks about soils. Looks to me like you haven't been reading the correct information on container gardening. You will have a tough time growing in an organic medium with a fertilizer you know nothing about.

After some reading elsewhere, I'm guessing too much fertilizer and it seems someone agrees so I'll be flushing the soil in a few hours. :P

p.s.
badsmerf,
You really should wait to reply until after you have read the entire post. Otherwise, you might appear to be a duche.

Let the soil dry out between waterings and the plants should be alright. This will also take care of any gnat problems.

Alan

thepaan,

Like I said, search water movement and read the thread(s). The problem is not your plant, but rather the environment you've put it in. You can continue to attempt to fix problems as the come up or prevent them completely by changing your soil and approach. Your choice.

badsmerf,

I asked: "...anything else I'm doing wrong?"

You answered: Looks like you don't know enough about gardening to be gardening. and then You did something wrong.

Like I said, read the post before replying. I know it's semi-long but the problem is; either you know of a place in Korea where I can find the component's of Al's 5:1:1 and some 3:1:2 fertilizer or, you are just a duche. I mean a really big duche. The reeeeaaaaally ginormous kind. You come off as a worthless meat-bag posting completely irrelevant information with that condescending verbiage. It could be you are suggesting that I abandon indoor gardening altogether but then we are right back to you being a duche. You could continue to worsen your duche status by continuing your attempt to induct me into the Cult of Al, or you could prevent it altogether by changing your attitude and approach then answering the question constructively. Or, you could have said nothing. Your choice.

How old are you, anyway?

You came to this forum seeking advice, but when people try to help you then you don't listen. If you're going to flair up at the people you came to for help then I suggest that you go somewhere else.

Alan

The reason I told you to read that is because it gives a lot of information about container gardening that you don't come across everyday. Seriously, the name-calling is a little out of line I think. If your goal is to keep a pepper plant alive for a few years the soil and feeding program is going to be the most important parts to get right from the beginning. There are some ways you can improve whatever soil you are trying to grow in if you can't make a mix of your own. Screening regular potting mix with a bug screen makes a world of difference. Then you can add some supplemental things to approach the 5:1:1 mix. It doesn't have to be perfect, but some little things make a world of difference. Something people talk a lot about is a perched water table, meaning, in regular potting soil water will actually pool and not drain out. Roots grown in this environment tend to rot, especially plants that prefer well drained soil. Decreasing the amount of fines in the soil decreases this level. The fertilizer you use is important too because you're basically trying to supply all the nutrients the plant will need without the natural minerals and microorganisms that are in the soil. If you can't find something that you know the ratios for at least, is it possible to order online?

badsmerf,

You are much more gracious than I.

Bill

Inappropriate and Unacceptable!..