They might know more over at the hot pepper forum, but the sooner you plant it in soil, the better. I'd put it in a lite mix of perlite/peat/potting soil. Sand won't hurt it, and fertilizer will help it. If you look in the container forum, there is a whole thread with a formula for Al's gritty mix. That is a well drained potting soil that everyone raves about. I think the name of the thread is Water Movement in soils, or something like that, and it's close to the top of the thread list.

I have 4 peppers, but mine are outside in the dirt. Peppers can live to 40 years and can grow into large gnarly bushes. Mine are never without peppers. I do have the hot kind, however. I'm not sure if they like snow, so containers that you can bring in are probably best. We have zero snow here, and even in the cold weather, they bear peppers.

It's pretty hard to kill a pepper. They are very tough. They can even be bonsai'd, and you know that process! They trim roots, put in very little dirt, and the plant still lives! TOUGH little guys!

I'd get those planted ASAP!
Suzi

Awesome! Thanks. She's now growing happily in a 4 inch pot. i figured i will wait to see actual growth b/f i transfer into a bigger container.

thanks for the tips - since they are in containers. . i think i might end up bringing one in for the winter. and the bonsai. . fun!