Have you been controlling your plants environment? Small plants like these can be a product of low temps and too much "plant food" or other chemicals and also not having light at the correct distance away from the top of the plant. From the deep green leaves it looks like you may be watering it a bit too much as well. Do you let it "stress" at all?

This photo has mine, Trini Marunga, Bhut Jalokia, & Reapers. I started them on March 15th under natural light and heat then I moved them under my 2 X 400 Watt Super HPS Bulbs and Wings. The whole idea being that they stay warm and get lots of light.

Most common problem with people starting out is over watering . Don't water again until the plant is wilted .

Temps been pretty well controlled, I take it outside when it getting into the 80s and 60s at night last couple of weeks (in Ky). Brought it in for the last few days because it's been a little cooler. May be because of over watering, soil hasn't been drying up very quickly. I'll let it go dry a little bit. Thanks for the responces you all!!!

It's back outside at the moment since it was in the 80's today, it's drying out from being in the sun and is actually looking better. I will post a picture here in a little while. I added some epsom salt when I planted it in this container, put some in the bottom of the hole before I put the plant in. Maybe should of added it differently.

You should be ok, I don't add Epsom til the plants are over 6" tall but that's just my preference. Maybe someone else can chime in and comment on whether that hurts it's growth. Only other things I can think of is that the soil is too heavy/clumpy which can create difficulty for the roots when it comes to them being able to spread at their desired will. With these plants the loose airy soil seems to work best. That and I have planted 24 seeds harvested from 2013 that a friend sent me because he wasn't using them, they have turned out looking pretty much exactly like yours aside from the fact that they were just planted in early April and I put them in Miracle Grow soil which has a general use plant food which can be detrimental to fruiting but not generally the actual plant's growth...so who knows, right.

I hope it gets better for ya! I had plant growing pains last year...very frustrating.

It was planted in some pretty heavy soil, I took the plant out and mixed a crap ton of perlite in to help it out a little. Seems that it may still be a little heavy and could drain a little better, so I may mix up a batch with some bark in it. Of course each time I am doing this and moving the plant I am shocking it also. Which could be the cause of it in the first place. Just learning as I go. Here is a pic from today. Not sure what the black dots is on the bottom leaves. Hope its not the start of another problem.

Hi jperk, I too am in Kentucky and was having the exact same problems except with my Habanero plants. Many people gave great advice and most thought it was over watering. However, with some time of making sure I didn't over water it I realized that wasnt the problem as the plants just got worse. I had my plants also in a five gallon bucket and With research, the pots are way to big for plants that size. I repotted all of mine into much smaller pots because the roots needed to be warm and with such a small plant in a large pot, the roots didn't get hardly any warmth even though the temps were in the 80's. My plants when I repotted just took off growing and now I have buds on them. Just my opinion but I believe that is what your problem would be.

jperk, of course sacampbell is correct on this matter. Sorry we didn't catch it earlier on...

Yea, I was considering switching to some smaller pots for now, you all just made my mind for me. Thanks for all the help!!!

Over Watering. Biggest beginner mistake