Yes, not all fertilizers are the same. Some work faster, like synthetics. Non-synthetics tend to be a bit slower release. Even though those are cow pots, they could also be wicking away nutes along with the water into them.

Also, since they are bigger ones. Are you giving them any night time hours? Peppers can benefit from some night time hours after they have a couple sets of true leaves going on like those do.

Underwatering will do that, but not well appreciated is that overwatering will do it too. Peppers really don't like wet feet. Let the surface dry out before adding water. But it sounds like you're being careful about watering, and cowpots don't allow water to accumulate at depth. Cold temperatures can do it too. Extended temperatures less than 45F will hurt. Peppers are hot weather plants. If a fertilization issue, you need nitrogen, but ANY decent fertilizer will have plenty of nitrogen. What fertilizer have you been using?

Thank you all for the helpful replies! Here is the liquid fertilizer I used. The granular stuff I used is Miracle Gro. I think the cow pots might be causing a problem with watering. I’ve tried bottom watering, but it wicks up the sides of the pots. They get about 10 hrs without the lights on. I might repot them and see if that helps. They’re in my house, I keep the temp at 70 degrees. Thanks!

Yes, please do repot them into something else. If you have plastic pots some solo cups sitting around you can punch drain holes into, great.

Depending on what potting soil you used- some of them have slow release fertilizer in them. And since you already added granular to the current pots. You might not need to add ferts like that when repotting.

7-9-5 will work fine. DynaGro has all the needed micronutrients as well. Repotting might be a smart move, and being careful about not overwatering. Disease is always a possibility, but if these are indoor plants in commercial potting soil, that's very unlikely. That's a good point about pre-fertilized potting soil. If you're using that stuff, don't over-fertilize.

Here is the potting soil I’m using, says it’s supposed to help with water retention, so perhaps I’m overwatering after all. Going to repot these tomorrow and hope that helps.

It’s funny, I usually start seeds in jiffy pellets on a snack table in front of my fireplace and never had this kind of problem before! :-/

Thanks again for your help, it is much appreciated.

The "RootTrients" is fertilizer, but an organic fertilizer that is pretty minimal and released very slowly. Half-strength Dyna-Gro sounds like the right approach. Lay off the MiracleGro. That's just doing the same thing.

On one hand it looks like a nutrient deficency, but it sounds like you've addressed that pretty well. I'm wondering, if, at this point, they need real sunlight. ?

Lol, Kate, if they need real sunlight, they’re not going to get it in Michigan! It’s 35 degrees out right now and it’s been raining for what seems like weeks. We do have some warm days (low 60s) in the extended forecast, so maybe I can get them outside then and see if that helps, thank you!

I’m really starting to think they’re just over-watered and am hoping repotting them helps.

Every year a few of mine do that while others are fine. Same seeds, same potting soil, same light. I TRY to water evenly but that is tough to do. I suspect it is a watering issue. Fertilizer never seems to make a difference. Currently 2-3 of my pepper plants looks like this, a dozen look fine.

In the past they have always recovered well after get planted - which I am doing in a week.

Donald, you’re in north Ohio and you’re planting out in a week??! I’m in SE Michigan and won’t be planting until the end of May, too nervous about late frosts.

I repotted all my peppers and hope to see some improvement soon. I probably won’t be using cow pots again.

Thank you everyone for your help!

I wanted to follow-up on this after transplanting my peppers out of the cow pots and into plastic (reusable) pots. It has made a HUGE difference! It’s easier to bottom water and I don’t have to worry about the cow pots wicking moisture away from the roots. Thanks all!!!

Good to know! i never would have thought that pots could make such difference. thanks