Q:

I left Car. Reaper seedlings in the tray for 51 days, did I leave them in too long?

I left my carolina reapers in the starter tray for 51 days, the bottom of the stems are starting to get woody, and they have about 5 sets of true leaves and are still growing more. They are ~2.5 inches tall.
If I transplant them into pots now, will they grow bigger or did I wait too long? Can I still wait longer? I am growing them indoors only, so I have plenty of time to wait for them to get large.

A:

You should be fine to transplant them now into slightly bigger pots.  I am guessing they are in a starter tray with 1" diameter 'pots'? Upgrade only to 3 or 4 inch diameter pots...with potting soil.  Hard to imagine what you've got going but if your plants are still alive there is no reason to quit.  50 days is a stretch but plants are tough.  Just squeeze the bottom of the little pot as you turn upside down...if roots are through the bottom, just rip or cut them off to release the start from its starting pot.  Transplant into  3 or 4" diameter pot, firm the soil and water, only water when pot feels light as you lift it.  Are you using artificial light or sunlight?  You really need a decent grow light to grow them indoors.  The light from the window is not enough and the winter daylight hours are too short. Not to mention you'll be responsible for pollination (no big deal). Careful with the nitrogen or you will not get flowers and peppers.  When roots grow through the bottom of the 3 to 4" pots repot into 6" pots.  Usually that is as far as you need to go for lots of peppers.  You have to have enough light via artificial means and a fan to blow the air.  All potting soil, no garden soil or compost.

